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Shree Swasthani Mata Ji’s

Vrat-Katha Maaghmahatmay (A Fast worth Celebrating)

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Contents S.NO TOPIC

1 Introduction

2 Shree Swasthani Mataji’s Vrat Procedure

3 Shree Ganesh Aarti and Vandana

4 Mahadev Ji’s Aaradhana

(1) Rudrashtak

(2) Mahamrityunjay Mantra

(3) Twelve Jyotirlings

(4) Shiv Stuti

(5) Lord Shiva’s Aarti

5 Shree Swasthani Mataji’s Prayer

6 Shree Swasthani Mataji’s Outward Appearance

7-37 1st Adhyay to 31st Adhyay (The 31 Chapters)

38 Shree Swasthani Mataji’s Aarti

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INTRODUCTION

The Hindu religion propagates many fasts and the devotees undertake them

according to their faith. In this book we are presenting to you the auspicious

fast of “Shree Swasthani Mata Ji”. It is as under:

Maa Sati, after leaving her corporal form, took birth as Parvati as the daughter

of Giriraj Himalaya and his wife Maneka. Parvati used to worship Lord Shiva by

making a Shivling (the holy phallus) of sand with a desire to attain him as her

husband. When her marriage was fixed with Lord Vishnu, on insistence of sage

Narada, she left her home to meditate in the forest. Lord Shiva showed her the

glimpse of his divine spirit and suggested to her that only Lord Vishnu can

show her the way to marry as per her desire. Then Maa Parvati worshipped

Lord Vishnu who in turn came to bless her. Lord Vishnu asked– O Parvati! I am

happy with your devotion. Ask for anything you desire. Maa Parvati replied– O

God! You know that I worship Shiva as my husband since my childhood. So

please show me a way to fulfil my desire. Lord Vishnu replied– O Parvati!

Today I will tell you about a Vrat (Fast) that is above all other fasts and blesses

beyond imagination. Donations of food, gold, jewellery, elephants and

Kanyadaan (marriage of the daughter) yield result as per their glory. But this

fast blesses the devotee with worldly pleasures as well as one gets a place in

the Shivlok (the place where Lord Shiva resides) after death. This is the fast of

“Shree Swasthani Mata Ji”. Then Lord Vishnu explained to Parvati the

procedure of performing this fast.

Maa Parvati performed this fast with utmost dedication and got Lord Shiva as

her husband. One day she said to Shiva– O God! My desire to marry you got

fulfilled with the influence of this fast. Many people in the world are suffering

pain and agony on different accounts like lack of money, not getting progeny,

suffering due to diseases, not getting a life-partner, some are orphans. I want

such people to attain benefit from this fast. Please help in this direction. Then

Lord Shiva said– O dear Parvati! I am happy with your kind-hearted feelings.

Thus Rishi (sage) Ashvathama should be sent to the Rasatal (the deep sphere)

first of all. Maa Parvati sent sage Ashvathama to propagate about this fast in

that sphere. Afterwards she sent the Saptarishi to propagate this on the earth.

This fast was performed firstly by Parvati herself in the Devlok, by Hiravati

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(wife of Shankhchood Naag) in Rasatal, by Ratnavati (wife of Ratanchood

Naag), by Mrigavati (wife of Kripadata Naag) and Madnavati (wife of

Dhartrashtra Naag) along with sage Ashvathama and by Goma Brahmani on

the Prithvilok (earth) under the guidance of Saptarihi. All men and women can

keep this fast. This fast is not limited to ladies only. King Navraj, Chandravati’s

associates and people like me and you, all can carry out this fast. It is open for

all to execute.

My life filled with beautiful colours after I performed this auspicious fast (Vrat).

I was inspired to share it with you all. Many people have supported me in my

mission to distribute this holy book to you. You, too, can attain worldly as well

as divinely pleasures with the help of its knowledge. No one has lost anything

in the journey towards divine attainment. Devotion takes us to the God and

brings the supreme power closer to us. It makes us nationalistic and honest as

well and raises our self-confidence. I got inclined towards this fast with the

guidance of Mrs. Rezina Shah, a native of Nepal. We are providing this book to

you free of cost with the blessings of “Shree Swasthani Mata Ji”. You can get

this book free of cost by contacting me. We would like to share your thoughts

regarding this fast so that others can also learn something from your

experiences. You are welcome to share any additional knowledge of this fast.

Please let us know if there are any faults in our effort. Our innermost desire is

to see you attaining the God’s Grace.

Vinod Sharma,

Advocate (Supreme Court of India),

609, New Delhi House,

27, Barakhamba Road, Connaught Place,

New Delhi – 110001

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Shree Swasthani Mataji’s

Vrat(Fast) Procedure

This Vrat starts on the Paush Shukal Poornima Day. The Vrati (devotee) should

cleanse himself/herself, take bathe, cut the nails and may keep fast (If so

desires) before vowing to sit for the meditation of “Shree Swasthani Mata Ji”.

For one month thereafter he/she should consume vegetarian food, sleep on

the floor, without speaking a lie or quarrelling with someone and perform this

fast with utmost dedication. Then worship Mataji daily morning by offering

water, flowers and fruits and worship Lord Shiva in the afternoon. One should

recite the Katha (story) of Mataji to others after sunset after offering dhoop,

deep, naivaidya (food for God). You can read the adhyays (chapters) either one

daily or as per your choice. Afterwards distribute the Prashad to all and self.

This routine should be followed for a month and the Katha should be finished

on the Maagh Shukal Purnima Day. On that day make a Shivling and sign of

Aum by sand on a copper plate. Offer jaun, til, rice, flowers, paan, supari,

yagyasutra to Mataji. The items for the Prashad should be 108 each in number.

You should worship Lord Ganesha and Lord Varun after placing the Kalash.

The fasting devotee, after taking bath, should sit on that place and take water,

til, flower, kusha and speak one’s name, gotra and place to vow to perform this

fast with full dedication. One should desire to attain a place in the Shivlok and

give arghya (water offering) to the Sun God.The diyas should be lighted and

the Kalash should be placed at the appropriate place. Then offer flower, fruit

and money to Mataji. Remember Varun God by moving the kusha in the

Kalash. Lord Ganesha should be worshipped and requested to grace the

auspicious place. Fruits and flowers should be offered to him. Then visualise

revering sacred rivers like Ganga, Narmada, Godawari, Sindhu and Kaaveri in

the Kalash. Revere cow, Brahmins, Rudra and Lord Vishnu. Thereafter chant

this mantra for Lord Ganesha – Aum Ganpataye namah, vighanrajaye namah,

gajvaktraaye namah, parshu hastaye namah, Parvati nandnaaye namah and

siddhivinaaykaaye namah. Then make eight corners on the plate or the land to

revere Indra in the east, Agni in the south-east, Yama in the south, Nairiti in the

south-west, Varun in the west, Kuber in the north, Ishaan in the north-east.

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Worship Uma-Maheshwar, Lakshmi-Narayan, Mahadev Ji and Goma Brahmani,

Shivsharma Brahman, Navraj, Chandravati and Laavanyavati. Shree Swasthani

Mataji should be worshipped in the middle of that Ashtadal where Omkar is

written. Pray to her with flowers and rice in hand and request her to take a

place there. Then bathe the deity with milk, curd, ghee, sugar and fresh water.

Then offer as per your capacity clothes, rice, jaun, til, flower, tilak, dori, vatta,

chuda jewellery, sindoor etc. Then light the dhoop and offer sweets to Mataji.

Do her aarti with shankh (conch) and ghanti. Mataji should be in your thoughts

during this time. Pray to her by saying – “Glittering as gold, the three-eyed,

whose face is like a lotus flower, who sits on the throne, attached with all

ornaments, the four-armed, who has neelkamal in the upper left hand, varada

in the upper right hand, khadaga in the lower left hand, charma in the lower

right hand, such a powerful goddess; we remember you the divine being”. Pray

to Mataji and request her to cleanse your conscience and fulfil your desires as

she does for all her devotees. Hey Mataji– cleanse me, take away all my

worries, bestow me with good health, progeny, money and worldly happiness

and contentment. Bless me so that I remember you here and hereafter.

Request her to fulfil your innermost greatest desire. Pray to her– “Mataji, I

have nothing majestic to offer to you. Please accept whatever little I am

offering to you and be happy on me. Take me away from bad deeds and accept

the Gangajal (water of river Ganga)”. Then take a Parikrama (circle) of the 108

things that you have offered her and bow to her. Then offer food and donation

to the Brahmans. The 108-numbered Prashad should be distributed to the

husband or son or friend’s son. If no one is available pour it in the river. The

men should give this to the son or brother or father or in the river. Chant

Mataji’s name in the evening. Every day when you start the pooja, take rice,

black til, jaun, sindoor in hand and offer to her. Collect this offered samagri

(material) at one place and flow it in the river after the completion of one

month.

This is the complete process of undertaking this fast. This should be followed

for one month. The ladies can abstain from it if they are undergoing their

monthly cycle but they can listen in the katha from someone else. If you are

unable to follow the procedure correctly, don’t worry. Mataji is very kind and

she forgives her children. She bestows us with her Divine Grace when we

remember her. She helped Chandravati and turned her sand offering to real

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one. You can put the 108-numbered Prashad as per your choice. It can be

grapes, almonds fruits etc. Make sure that your devotion for her doesn’t fade

away. This is the month to immerse in the revering of Lord Shiva and Shree

Swasthani Mataji. This fast is incomplete without bringing Shivji into picture.

Mataji will bless you and your family with her Grace once you do this fast and

the results will be beyond imagination.

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Shree Ganesh Aarti

Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Devaa!

Mata jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva!! Jai!!

Ekdant dayawant, chaar bhujadhaari!

Mastak sindoor sohe, musey ki sawari!! Jai!!

Andhan ko aankh dete, kodhin ko kaaya!

Baanjhan ko putra dete, nirdhan ko maaya!! Jai!!

Ladduan ka bhog lage, sant karein sewa!

Paan chadey, phool chadey aur chadey mewa!! Jai!!

Deenan ki laaj raakho Shambhu-Sati vari!

Kaamna ko poora karo jag balihari!! Jai!!

Shree Ganesh Vandana

Gajananam bhootganaadisevitam kapitathjambu phal charu bhakshanam!

Umasutam shokvinashkarakam namami vighaneshwarpad pankajam!!

Varnanamaarthsanghanaam rasanaam chchandsaampi!

Manglanaam cha kartaaro vande vaanivinaayako!!

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Mahadev Ji’s Aaradhana

This should be chanted ever day before starting Shree Swasthani Mataji’s

pooja.

Rudrashtak

Namamishamishaan nirvaanrupam! Vibhum vyapakam brahma

vedswarupam!!

Nijam nirgunam nirvikalpam niriham! Chidaakaashmaakaashavaasam

bhajeham!!

Niraakaarmonkaarmoolam tooriyam! Giraa gyaan gotitmisham girisham!!

Karalam mahakaal kaalam kripalam! Gunaagaar sansaarpaaram natoham!!

Tusharadri sankaash gauram gambhiram! Manobhoot koti prabhashree

shareeram!!

Sffuranmauli kallolini charu Ganga! Lasadbhaalbaalendu kanthey bhujanga!!

Chalatkundalam bhru sunetram vishalam! Prasananam neelkantham dayalam!!

Mrigadhishacharmambaram mundmaalam! Priyam shankaram sarvanatham

bhajaami!!

Prachandam prakrishtam pragalbham paresham! Akhandam ajam

bhanukotiprakasham!!

Traya shool nirmoolanam shoolpaanim! Bhajeham bhavanipatim

bhaavgamyam!!

Kalaateet kalyaan kalpaantkaari! Sadaa sajjanananddaata purari!!

Chidanand sandoham mohapahari! Praseed praseed pramo manmathari!!

Na yaavad umanath padarvindam! Bhajantih lokey parey vaa naraanaam!!

Na taavtsukham shaanti santaapnasham! Praseed prabho

sarvabhootadhivaasam!!

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Na jaanaami yogam japam naivya pujaam! Natoham sadaa sarvada shambhu

tubhyam!!

Jaraa janam dukhaudya taatapyamaanam! Prabho paahi aapannmaamish

shambho!!

Shalok

Rudraashtakmidam proktam vipren hartoshaye!

Ye pathanti naraa bhaktaya teshaam shambhu praseedati!!

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Mahamrityunjay Mantra

Aum trayambakam yajamahe sugandhim pushti vardhanam!

Urvaarukmiv bandhanaat mrityormukshiya maamritaat Aum!!

Meaning: {We worship Lord Shiva who has three eyes, who provides the life in

all beings, who is looking after everyone in this world. We pray to him to free

us from the cycle of births and deaths and merge our soul in the Supreme

power just like a fruit frees itself from the tree after peaking up. Likewise make

us to taste the divine water of your holy feet and make us to become one with

you}

Twelve Jyotirlings

Saurashtrey somnatham cha shreeshailey mallikaarjunam!

Ujjainam mahakaalmonkarmamleshwaram!!

Parlayaam Baijnaatham cha daakinyaam bhimshankaram!

Setubandhey tu ramesham nagesham daarukaavane!

Varanasyaam tu vishvesham trayambakam gomtitatey!

Himalaye tu kedaram ghu srinesham shivalaye!!

Aitaani jyotirlingaani saanyam praatah patheynarr!

Saptajanamkritam paapam samarnen vinashyati!!

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Shiv Stuti

Dhanya dhanya bholanath baant diye teeno lok pal bhar mein!

Aisey deendayal mere shambhu bharo khazana pal bhar mein!!

Pratham ved to brahma ko de diya bane ved ke adhikari!

Vishnu ko diya chakra sudarshan lakshmi si sundar naari!!

Indra ko diya kamdhenu aur airawat sa balkari!

Kuber ko kar diya aapne saari sampati ka adhikari!!

Apne paas paatra nahin rakha magan rahe baghambhar mein !

Aisey deendayal mere shambhu bharo khazana pal bhar mein!!

Amrit to devtaaon ko de diya aap halahal paan kiya!

Brahm-gyan de diya usi ko jisne shiv tera dhyaan kiya!!

Bhagirath ko de di Ganga sab jag ne snaan kiya!

Bade bade paapiyon ko taara palbhar mein kalian kiya!!

Aap nashey mein mast raho piyo bhang neet khapar mein!

Aisey deendayal mere shambhu bharo khazana pal bhar mein!!

Lanka to ravan ko di bees bhuja dus sheesh diye!

Ramchandra ko dhanush-baan aur hanumant ko jagdish diye!!

Manmohan ko de di mohini aur mukut bakhshish diye!

Mukta huye kaashi ke vaasi bhakti mein jagdish diye!!

Veenas to Narad ko de di hari bhajan ko raag diya!

Brahman ko karam-kaand aur sanyasi ko tyaag diya!!

Jis par tumri kripa bhai usi ko anngann raag diya!

Jisne dhayaya usi ne paaya mahadev tere var mein!!

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Lord Shiva’s Aarti

Aum jai shiv omkara hari shiv omkara!

Brahma Vishnu sadashiv ardhaangi dhaara! Aum Har!!

Ekanan chaturanan panchanan raajey! Prabhu!!

Hansanan garudasan vrishvahan saajey! Aum Hari!!

Do bhuj chaar chaturbhuj dus bhuj te sohey! Prabhu!!

Teeno roop nirakhta tribhuvan jan mohey! Aum Har!!

Shwetambar pitambar baghambar angey! Prabhu!!

Sanakadik brahmadik bhootadik sangey! Aum Har!!

Akshamaala banmaala mundmaala dhari! Prabhu!!

Chandan mrigmad chanda bholey shubhkari! Aum Har!!

Kar madhey cha kamandal chakra trishul dharta! Prabhu!!

Jag karta jag harta jag palan karta! Aum Har!!

Chaunsath yogin gaavat nritya karat bhairon! Prabhu!!

Baajat taal mridanga aur baajat damru! Aum Har!!

Lakshmi var savitri shree parvati sangey! Prabhu!!

Ardhangini gayatri sir sohe gangey! Aum Har!!

Kaashi mein vishvanath viraajey nandey brahamchari! Prabhu!!

Neet uth bhog lagavein mahima ati bhaari! Aum Har!!

Brahma Vishnu sadashiv jaanat avivekaa! Prabhu!!

Pranvaakshar ke madhye yeh teeno eka! Aum Har!!

Trigun swamiji ki aarti jo koi nar gaavey! Prabhu!!

Kahat shivanand swami manovanchit var paavey! Aum Har!!

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Shree Swasthani Mataji’s Prayer

The devotee should take flowers, rice, jaun, til in his/her hand and recite this

prayer before starting the katha:-

Yam brahma varunendrarudramarutah stunvanti divyeeh staveervedey

saadangpadkramopnishdeyaargaayanti yam saamgaah!

Dhyaanavaasthittadgatein mansa pashyanti yam yoginoh yasyaantam na viduh

surasurgana devaay tasmeh namah!!

Meaning: {I bow to the Supreme power who is worshipped by Brahma, Varun,

Indra and Marudgan by chanting of the veds’; the saints remain immersed in

his memory and his end is beyond the imagination of the Devtas and the

demons}

Shreemachandancharchitojjwalvapu shuklaambraamallika

malaalangkritkundala pravilsnamuktavali shobhita!

Sarvagyannidaanpustakdhara rudrakshmaaladhara vagdevi vadnambujey vastu

mein trailokmata chiram!!

Meaning: {Who’s body fragrances like sandalwood, who wears white clothes,

whose neck sparkles with ornaments, who is the goddess of knowledge, who

holds the rudrakshmaala in her hand; I bow to the goddess Saraswati and

request her to make her abode in my mouth}

Mookam karoti vaachalam pangum langhyate girim!

Yatkripa tamham vandey parmanandmadhavam!!

Meaning: {By whose Grace the dumb can speak and the one-legged person can

cross over the mountain; I worship my dear Madhav}

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Namo bhagvatey tasmeh vyasayammittejsey!

Yasya prasadadwakshyami narayankathamimaam!!

Meaning: {I bow to the enlightened soul Vyasji with whose Grace I will say this

holy story (katha)}

Narayanam namaskritya naram chaiv narottamam!

Devim sarasvatim vyasam tatoh jaymudiryet!!

Meaning: {I am writing “Jai Mahakavya” after worshipping Lord Narayan,

Goddess Sarasvati and Shree Ved Vyas Ji}

After the completion of this prayer offer flowers, rice, jaun, til etc. to Mataji.

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Shree Swasthani Mataji’s Outward Appearance

Suvarnavarnadeeptabhaam trinetraam kamlaasanaam!

Sinhsansamaseenaam sarvaalankaarbhushitaam!! 1!!

Nilotpaldharaam vaamey dakshiney vardaam subhaam!

Khadagcharamdharaam chaudharvam vaamdakshiney yoh kramaat!! 2!!

Chaturbhujaam cha maam tatra pujyed vrishketunaam!

Aevam dhayatvaa mahadevim swasthanim jagdishvaram!! 3!!

Meaning: {Glittering as gold, the three-eyed, whose face is like a lotus flower,

who sits on the throne, attached with all ornaments, the four-armed, who has

neelkamal in the upper left hand, varada in the upper right hand, khadaga in

the lower left hand, charma in the lower right hand, such a powerful Goddess;

we remember you the divine being}

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Shree Swasthani Mataji’s Vrat Katha

1st Adhyay A long ago Kumarji arrived to meet saint Agastya on his means of transport,

peacock. The saint welcomed him. Kumarji said– O Agastya Muniji, I will tell

you about the formation of the universe, listen to me carefully. When the

thought of creating the universe came in the God’s mind, He incarnated in the

form of trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahadev. The Maya, also called nature,

originated from Mahadevji. No one can overcome it. Above maya is peace,

then knowledge and then is moksha i.e. salvation. Likewise there is a process

of destruction of the nature/world. Maya can’t co-exist along with

concentration, peace, knowledge, respect and detachment. God resides in the

soul of one who is detached from maya. The soul is the essence of this

universe, as prescribed by all the scriptures. The cycle of birth and death,

happiness and sorrow is the base of the existence of the universe. I will tell you

about the Padam kalpa.

Brahma is generator, Vishnu is operator and Shiva is destroyer of the universe.

Vishnu and Shiva are ageless. Brahma’s age is hundred divine years after which

the new world is created. The abode of Brahma is called Satyalok. His morning

is equal to one complete cycle of nature. The four ages namely satyayug,

traitayug, dwaparyug and kaliyug get over in Brahma’s one day. There is

destruction of the universe called parlay after that cycle and there is complete

destruction (parlay) after hundred such years. The same cycle is repeated again

by the emergence of a new Brahma. He makes an egg like thing which

comprises of five elements of the nature, ego, the knowledge senses, heart,

mind, sound, feeling of touch, form, taste, smell etc. This egg is divided into

two parts– male and female. Thu the world is the manifestation of the power

of Brahma, Vishna and Mahadev. This supreme power is called the God.

Sumeru parbat (rock) exists in the sea just like a child remains in the womb.

Sun, moon and other constellations exist there.

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There is no beginning, middle or the end of the Supreme God. The world exists

on the desire of the God. The universe is immeasurable. There is different

trinity of the God in every universe. The world is like a dream. The feelings of

happiness and sorrow are just experience and the aim of human should be to

merge with God. O Agastya Muni! You should pray as well. I have narrated to

you the origin of the universe. I will narrate padma kalpa to you now.

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2nd Adhyay Kumarji said– O Agastya Muni! After the mahapralay (destruction) the world

was zero. The God desired to start the universe. A lotus emerged in the

Ksheersagar in the navel of Lord Vishnu. Four-faced Brahma originated from

that lotus. There was itching in Lord Vishnu’s ear. From there emerged two

demons– Madhu and Kaitabh. They intimidated Brahma who started

worshipping maya to please Lord Vishnu. Maya, with the help of Sheshnaag,

woke Vishnuji up. Lord Vishnu fought with those two demons for five thousand

years. Lord Vishnu told them that he was impressed with their valour. The two

got happy and asked Vishnuji to ask for a favour as they had overpowered him

in their view. Vishnuji said on listening to their ego– promise me that you will

grant me whatever I desire. The two demons said– Ask for anything. We will

oblige. Lord Vishnu said– O Madhu and Kaitabh! Grant me the favour that both

of you get killed from my hands. The demons said– O Vishnu! No brave man

asks for such a favour but keeping up the promise is the essence of the brave

hearts. So kill us but you cannot kill us in water. Lord Vishnu killed them by

placing them on his thighs. Earth was formed from the skin of those demons,

rocks from their flesh and stones from their bones. Brahma created Bhurlok,

Bhuvarlok, Swarglok, Maharlok, Janlok, Taplok and Satyalok. The base of earth

has Attal, Vittal, Suttal, Talattal, Mahattal, Rasattal and Pataal. The seven

islands were created then namely Jambudweep, Kushdweep, Plakshdweep,

Shalmalidweep, Kraunchdweep, Shaakdweep and Pushkardweep. The seven

seas were created then namely Iksharsaud Sea, Suraud Sea, Dhritaud Sea,

Kshiraud Sea, Dadhimandaud Sea, Shudwaud Sea and Kshaaraud Sea.

Jambudweep was in the middle of Kshaaraud Sea. It was ruled by king called

Agnidhra. Plakshdweep was in the middle of Ikshursaud Sea and ruled by king

Ihamjihav. Shalmalidweep was in Suraud Sea and ruled by king Yagyabaahu.

Kushdweep was in Dhritaud Sea and ruled by king Hiranya. Kraunchdweep was

in Kshiraud Sea and ruled by king Dhritprishth. Shaakdweep was in

Dadhimandaad Sea and ruled by king Medhateethi. Pushkardweep was in

Shudhaudak Sea and ruled by king Veetihotra.

Jambudweep has nine sub-parts. Bharat name was given as it was situated in

the Bharat-khand. The mountains were created after the creation of seas and

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islands like Sumeru, Kailash, Gandhmaadan, Himalaya, Trikut, Chitrakoot,

Chandrantak and Chandrakoot. Brahmaji desired to create human in the

Jambudweep. He worshipped Lord Mahadev for twelve thousand years.

Mahadevji was happy and asked Brahma to ask for the thing of his choice.

Brahma said– O Lord! You are the originator, operator and destroyer of this

world. I salute you the great Lord. Your being includes the trinity of Brahma,

Vishnu and Rudra. I bow to you million times. O Master! The universe got

created with your blessings. Now I urge you to bless me to create human

beings. Mahadevji replied– O Brahma! I bless you to create humans and so you

will henceforth be called as the generator of the universe. Brahma bowed

before Mahadevji and went away to Sumeru parbat for procreation. He

created Brahmalok, Umalok, Shivlok, Vishnulok, Skandlok and Swarglok.

Alkapuri in the north of Sumeru parbat, Airavati in the east, Yamapuri in the

south, Shraddhavati in the west, Yashomati in the north-east, Krishnavati in the

south-west, Gandhavati in the north-west and Shuddhavati in the south-east

were created along with hundred saints. The elder saint was Kashyap Rishi.

Agastya requested Kumarji to explain more about humans and Devtaas.

Kumarji said– O Agastya Muni! Kashyap Rishi had thirteen wives namely Diti,

Aditi, Danu, Kaara, Daura, Sinhika, Krodha, Pradha, Balishtha, Vintaa, Kapila,

Kadru and Manu. Diti gave birth to the demons like Hiranyaksh,

Hiranyakashyap etc. Aditi gave birth to Devtaas like Indra, Chandra, Surya etc.

Danu gave birth to demons like Vrishparva. Kaara and Daura gave birth to

Gandharva, Chitrarath and Kinner etc. The others to born were Rahu from

Sinhika; Krodh from Krodha; Rambha, Tilottma, Urvashi from Pradha; Koyal,

Mayur, Muniyan, Jureiley, Ranichari, Dhovini,Luinchey from Balishtha; Arun

Garud from Vinta; four-legged animals like cow, leopard, beer, horse, elephant

etc. from Kapila; snakes from Kadru; humans from Manu. Thereafter eatables

were created. What else do you want to know? asked Kumarji. Agastya said– I

want to know who lives where.

Kumarji said– O Agastya muni! Brahmaji lives in the Satyalok, I reside in

Skandlok, Mahadevji in Kailash, Dhumraketu in Dhumralok, Vishnuji in

Baikunth, Rishis’ in nairatya bhuvan. Now listen about the Dikpal.

Lord Indra worshipped Mahadevji in the Himalayas. Mahadevji was happy and

blessed Indra with the kingdom of Amravati. Agni too worshipped hard and got

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to rule the Shuddhavati. Yama was bestowed the kingdom of Yamapuri and

was asked to act as a judge. Niriti was given Krishnavati; Varun was given the

kingdom of Shraddhavati. Fourty-nine sons of Diti worshipped Mahadevji and

were made Vaayu, which can be felt and not seen.Kuber too worshipped and

was awarded with the kingdom of Alkapuri and was made the lord of money.

Likewise Vishvakarma was given Yashovati kingdom. Now I will tell you about

Mahadevji’s wife Sati.

Kumarji said– Dakshaprajapati was the eldest among the eight Prajapatis. His

wife was Virni. She gave birth to a daughter whose face sparkled like thousand

suns. Her face was like moon. She was perfect with beautiful eyes. Daksha

arranged her name-ceremony. Muni Vashishth gave her the name Sati. He said

that she will be revered in the world. Daksha gave gifts to all the saints.

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3rd Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! Thirty-three crore girls were born from Virini.

Daksha brought them up. Did they get married to the devtas? asked Agastya

Muni. Kumarji said- O Muni! There was a meeting held of the Devtas, Rishis,

Dikpals, Gandharvaas, Yakshaas and Naags. They decided to ask

Dakshaprajapati to marry his daughters to them. They sent sage Narada to

meet Daksha for this purpose. Daksha welcomed Narada and asked for the

reason of his arriving. Narada talked about the marriage of Daksha’s daughters.

Daksha was very happy for the proposal of marrying his daughters to the

devtas but he refused to marry off his eldest daughter Sati since he didn’t have

a boy. Daksha asked Narada to tell the devtas to make arrangements. All the

Devtaas were happy to learn this. The marriages were solemnised with great

fanfare.

When Mahadevji heard about these marriages from Narada, he thought that

no one cared about his marriage. Mahadevji too desired to marry but

pondered over the choice of girl. He meditated and realised that

Dakshaprajapati’s eldest daughter Sati is still unmarried. He decided to go to

Daksha’s home to discuss this matter. When Daksha saw Mahadevji coming to

his abode, he asked his wife for the reason. When Mahadevji reached there

Dakshaprajapati asked him the reason. Mahadevji replied- You have married

your thirty-three crore daughters to the Devtaas. I request you to do a favour

to me as well by marrying your eldest daughter Sati to me. I am a suitable

match for her. Daksha was infuriated. His eyes got red and said- How dare you

thought like that? You live in the shamshan; eat bhang, dhatura and poison;

you wear lion’s skin; you live with the ghosts; you move on the old ox. How can

you match up with my daughter who is like a lotus; dear-eyed; sweet-spoken

and blessed with all good things? I can’t give my daughter’s hand to an

unsuitable person like you. I am forgiving you this time but don’t say this thing

to me in future. Mahadevji thought that Daksha has insulted me a lot and now

I will definitely marry his daughter. He went to Baikunth to meet Lord Vishnu.

Lord Vishnu welcomed Mahadevji and said- Mahadevji! I am so happy that you

graced my abode. Mahadevji said- O Vishnu! I am unmarried. I want to marry

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Dakshaprajapati’s daughter Sati. I went to meet Daksha on this account but he

insulted me. Please help me in this matter.

Lord Vishnu said- O Mahadevji! Wait here for some time. I will go to meet

Dakshaprajapati and try to convince him. Vishnuji went to meet Daksha who

felt happy to welcome him and asked for the reason of his arrival. Lord Vishnu

said- I want a favour from you. Daksha promised to fulfil his desire. I am the

Lord of Baikunth. Give your eldest daughter to me. Dakshaprajapati said- I

didn’t marry her as I don’t have a son. But since I have promised you, I will

marry her to you at an appropriate time. Vishnuji went back happily and told

Mahadevji- I have done the work assigned by you. Come to Daksha’s home at

the time of the kanyadaan and demand Sati’s hand fom me. When I will refuse,

show anger to me. I will ask you to sit near me and ask the pujari to initiate

marriage proceedings. I will then hypnotise Daksha and get you married to his

daughter. Mahadevji went back to Kailash on hearing this.

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4th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! Lord Vishnu reached at Daksha’s residence on

the marriage day where preparations were nicely done by Virni. Mahadevji,

under the influence of bhaang, dhatura and vish, forgot to reach there.

Vishnuji was concerned that why Mahadevji had not reached there. Suddenly

Mahadevji reached there in the disguise of an old monk. Dakshaprajapati, Virni

and Satidevi thought that he might have come to obtain some donation

(bhiksha). Mahadevji told them- Give me the bhiksha before solemnising the

marriage otherwise I will curse you. Lord Vishnu asked Mahadevji to sit near

him and assured that he will be rewarded timely.

As per the pre decided plan Vishnuji put Sati’s hand in the hand of Mahadevji

to sanctify their marriage. Daksha angrily said- O Vishnu! You are a cheat. You

deceived us and got my delicate daughter married to this old monk. Lord

Vishnu left for Baikunth. Daksha said to Sati- Dear daughter! You have got this

old man as your husband because of Vishnu’s cheating. Now you have to live

with him. Sati was saddened but accepted her fate and decided to accept him

as her husband.

Mahadevji said- O Sati! Take permission from your parents to leave from here.

They moved afterwards. Mahadevji said to Sati after they had covered some

distance- You have lived a luxurious life. You must be feeling difficulty in

walking here so move slowly. Sati replied- Dear! I am young. You are old so you

should walk slowly. They reached near Kailash parbat after some time.

Mahadevji converted that place into shabby hut to test Sati’s patience and

said- O Sati! This is our home. Search for food inside. Mahadevji took a nap

after consuming bhang and dhatura.

Sati reminded her parents and their palace on seeing the deplorable condition

there. She started to clean the house and searched for something to eat but

found nothing. She came and sat near Mahadevji who was pretending to sleep.

He woke up after four days and said- How dare you sleep inside when I was

sleeping outside. You ate food alone. Sati replied- O dear! I didn’t disturb you

since you were asleep. I didn’t sleep but was waiting for you to wake up. I have

eaten the good things in your home. Mahadevji was humbled by her approach

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and said- Dear! This is not our home. Just peep inside this hut. Sati said- What

is the need to look at home there. Who will make a new one in your old age?

Mahadevji kicked that hut and they saw the ornamented abode, Kailash

parbat. Sati wondered that whose home it was. Mahadevji said- This is our

home. He took her inside. Mahadevji showed her his real appearance and Sati

was over the moon with unbound joy on learning that her husband is in fact

Lord Shiva and not an old monk. She garlanded him and took three circles of

him. They started living happily thereafter.

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5th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! All of Dakshaprajapati’s daughters got married.

What do you want to hear now? Agastya Muni replied- Your words have filled

my conscience with endless joy. Please explain to me the story of Tripurasur

demons. Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! A demon named May ruled the demon

kingdom after Lord Vishnu killed Hiranyaaksh and Hirankashyap. His associates

were Tarkaaksh, Vidyutmaali etc. They contemplated to increase their power

through meditation in order to overpower the devtaas. They meditated in the

Himalayas in the cold weather, in desert in the hot weather and also in the

monsoon weather to please Brahma. As a result they became like the

skeletons. Their faces glistened due to meditation. Brahmaji was pleased with

their devotion and asked them to ask for a boon something. They said- Give us

the boon that we don’t get killed by someone; no one is more powerful than

us. Provide us a wonderful abode, akin to Kuber’s. Brahma said- Even I am not

ever living. Ask for something else. They said- All three of us should have a

palace each in the sky. After ten thousand years these palaces should get

attached for a fraction of second. Whosoever can destroy it during that time

may be able to kill us. Brahma blessed them. The three palaces created were of

iron, silver and gold. The peak of the Sumeru parbat was visible from that

kingdom. That kingdom sparkled and had all the luxuries of the world. It was

more beautiful than the Indrapuri. The demons lived there with their wives

and ministers. They started attacking the places of the devtaas and insulted

their ladies. Urvashi was kidnapped by them. The Devtaas feared them and

complained to Brahma about it. Brahmaji advised them to go to Mahadevji as

the demons had become extra powerful due to the boon. The Devtaas prayed

to Mahadevji- O Supreme Lord! You have blessed Nandi, you help your

devotees, you are the deity of yagya and you operate the world. We salute

you. You control the sun, moon and other constellations, you can take any

form, you keep ghosts along with you and you are the father of great sons like

Ganesh and Kumar Kartiekey and husband of Parvati. We bow before you.

Mahadevji was pleased with their prayers and asked them to ask for any boon

of their choice.

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The Devtaas replied- O God! Tripurasur demons have destroyed our kingdoms.

They misbehave with our ladies. They have stolen good things from our places.

We are unable to defeat them. Mahadevji said- Inculcate a part of my power in

you. They said- Your power can’t be handled by us. The three kingdoms will

unite for a moment after ten thousand years. That’s when you can destroy that

kingdom and pave way for the end of the demons. Mahadevji said- Make

preparations for my departure to do this work. I will destroy the kingdom with

one arrow. Vishvakarma created the cart whose wheels were sun, moon and

twenty-seven constellations. Ganga and Yamuna were made the clothes of the

cart and Brahma was made the charioteer. Maya was made the rope to control

the cart, Vindhyachal parbat the umbrella, four vedaas were made the four

horses of the cart. It was the best possible cart ever. When Mahadevji sat on it

the earth shook. There was flower-rain on Mahadevji who was accompanied

by Ganesh, Nandi and other associates. Sage Narada informed the demons

about the arrival of Mahadevji to kill them. The demons boasted that no one

has the power to kill them. It might be an illusion of the Devtaas. They decided

to take away the kingdom of the Devtaas in retaliation. May demon warned his

associates that Mahadevji is in the side of the Devtaas. He said- Even Brahma

lives under Mahadevji’s feet. To fight with him is like inviting death. We should

rather surrender to him. Narada said- You have outlived the period of the boon

attained by you. Mahadevji don’t like cowards. Fight with him. Even if you die

at his hands you will secure a place in Kailash. Otherwisw you will have to

remain subservient to the devtaas. Demon Tarkaksh seconded Narada’s

opinion as their end was coming near. They decided to fight war against the

devtaas. The armies of both sides reached the war place. Mahadevji’s

associates like Ganesh, Nandi, Virbhadra, Bhrigi fought war with them. The war

lasted for many days. The demons were killed ruthlessly. May consoled his

associates and asked them to reach near the Amritkund. The dead demons got

alive with the effect of the Amritkund. Brahmaji said to Mahadevji- The dead

demons are getting alive. We have to destroy the Amritkund to stop this

process. The time has come to destroy the three kingdoms when they will

attach for a moment. Mahadevji destroyed those unified kingdoms with one

arrow. The houses of the demons started to tumble. Mahadevji sent Nandi to

tell Vishvakarma to save May. Nandi searched for May demon who was

worshipping the Shivling at a quiet place. Nandi asked Agni dev not to harm

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May. Nandi asked May to leave for some other place. May left for Pataal with

Shivling in his hands. Nandi informed Mahadevji about all this.

The Tripur kingdom was destroyed. The lineage of the demons was getting

destroyed. They were waiting for their death as they had opposed Mahadevji.

Tripur got immersed in the ocean after destruction. The devtaas were too glad

and showered praises on Mahadevji. They said- O Mahadevji! Only you are

capable of doing impossible things. We bow at your feet. Mahadevji said- Dear

Devtaas! I care for you as a father cares for his children. I have destroyed

Tripur kingdom. Now you all can rest in peace. Mahadevji left for kailash and

Devtaas moved to their respective places.

Kumarji said to Agastya- O Muni! This is a very pious story. The devotee who

narrates this story and who listens to it gets unlimited grace of the God and

gets a place in the Shivdhaam.

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6th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! I have told you the story of Tripur destruction.

What else do you want to hear? Agastya replied- Kumarji! Tell me in detail

what happened after Daksha married all his daughters.

Listen. After that Daksha said to his wife Virni- I am contemplating to perform

Ashvamedh yagya. Start making preparations regarding that. Invite everyone

for this occasion except Mahadev and Sati. All the daughters and sons-in-law of

Dakshaprajapati were invited. They all arrived there on the day of ceremony

and were welcomed cheerfully by Daksha. The yagya started as per the rituals.

Narada muni arrived there to see that who was invited and who wasn’t. He

noticed Lord Vishnu, Brahma, Indra, all Devtaas, Gandharvas, Kinners, Sages

present there but Mahadevji and Sati were not there. He wondered how a

yagna could be performed without the presence of Mahadevji. In the Kailash

parbat Mahadevji said to Sati- Let’s play card-game today. Mahadevji lost

many ornaments to Sati. Sati noticed that Devtaas were going somewhere on

their vehicles. She wanted to know where they were all going to. Mahadevji

tried to divert her attention. They restarted playing and Mahadevji lost

everything but he was laughing. He said now I will bet on the parts of my body.

Sati said- There is nothing more precious and sacred in this world than your

body. We are one ever since you married me. Why are you lowering me in my

eyes by stating this? Your body is already mine. I don’t need to win it. Just then

Narada reached there and greeted them.

Mahadevji wanted to know the reason of his arrival. Narada said- O Supreme

God! No work in this world can accomplish without your blessings. You help

and take care of your devotees. I salute you many times. Mahadevji asked

Narada to ask for a boon. Narada said- Bless me to remain your devotee

forever. Mahadevji noticed anxiety on Narada’s face and asked for the reason.

Narada replied- Dakshaprajapati is performing a yagya. He has invited

everyone on this occasion except you and Sati Devi. I am wondering how a

yagya can be completed without your presence. Why didn’t you go there? Sati

Mata was sad to hear that and asked Mahadevji- O God! All my sisters have

been invited. Why has my father ignored me? Mahadevji replied- O Sati! Don’t

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get disheartened. I am not dear to your father. That’s why he didn’t invite us.

We don’t need to go there. Ask for anything, I will bring it here. Sati realised

that Mahadevji knew about all this and that’s why he diverted my attention

towards the game. Sati said- Hey Mahadevji! I want to go there and ask them

that why I was not invited. Permit me to go there along with Narada ji. I will

return soon. Mahadevji replied- O Sati! Don’t insist on going there. Sati was

adamant and left for that place. On reaching there she asked her parents- Am I

not your daughter? Why didn’t you invite me? Is Mahadevji not your son-in-

law? How can a yagya be completed without him? The universe is nil without

my husband. I advise you to invite him. Dakshaprajapati replied- Dear

daughter! Your husband is not worthy of being invited in this gathering where

everyone has come well-dressed. Your husband is the embodiment of all

negativity. He wears skulls and lives with the ghosts. I feel ashamed in inviting

him. That’s why I didn’t invite you as well. You are not culprit, your husband is.

The Lord of yagya is Vishnuji. Mahadev is nothing. All the Gods and saints are

present here to complete this yagya. Sati got upset to hear her husband’s

insult. She could not tolerate her husband’s insult and started taking circles of

the yagyakund while chanting Mahadevji’s name. She jumped into that

yagyakund and burnt herself to death. She later took birth as the daughter of

Himalaya and Maneka.

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7th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! All those present on the occasion were petrified

at Sati’s act because they were well aware of Mahadevji’s anger. The weather

changed, there was thunderstorm and darkness. The Devtaas started running

from there as their eyes faced sandstorm. The children started weeping.

Daksha was clueless and asked Guru Brahaspati the reason for this.

Narada went straight to Kailash from there and said to Mahadevji- O God! Your

beloved Sati finished her life after Daksha abused you. He had said that

Mahadev is not worthy of revering and that’s why he hadn’t invited him. Sati

Mata was burning with anger after hearing your insult and suddenly she

jumped into the yagya-kund. Agni could not dare to touch her; she herself gave

up her life. It seems she is sleeping there. I have come to inform you about this

tragedy. Mahadevji asked if it was true to which Narada said how he could

dare to speak a lie to him. Mahadevji got enraged. His eyes were burning with

fire. He said- No one can save that evil person Daksha now. I will finish him.

Narada moved from there.

Mahadevji’s eyes were spitting fire. He tore a hair from his head and threw it

on the land. There was a thunder and Virbhadra emerged with a trishul in his

hand. The second hair of Mahadevji produced yogini Kaali Devi whose laughter

terrified everyone. Lord Shiva said- O Virbhadra and Kaali! Go and destroy

Daksha’s yagya and don’t spare the thirty-three crore devtaas either. Nandi,

Bhringi etc. will accompany you. Virbhadra, Kaali and others moved from

there. There were natural calamities happening on the earth.

Daksha’s yagya got disrupted by unforeseen reasons. Crows and eagles flew

above and there was blood rain as well. Everyone, including the children and

elders, were looking for cover. Virbhadra and Kaali destructed the yagya place.

Daksha’s guests thought that only Lord Vishnu could save them. Lord Vishnu’s

army started to fight with Virbhadra’s army. Indra and other devtaas threw

weapons like Brahmastra, Aagneyastra, Varunastra, Tomar, Khadaga, Musal

etc. at them. Virbhadra countered them properly. Kaali was harming the army

of the Devtaas. The army of Daksha started wailing due to fear.

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Lord Vishnu was angry with Virbhadra and Kaali and started to fight with them.

Everyone hailed him and joined the course of action. Mahakaali cut into pieces

the army of Daksha and started wearing their skulls in her neck. Vishnuji stiked

hard at Virbhadra’s chest due to which he got unconscious. Vishnuji attached

same fate to others. The devtaas spread flowers on Vishnuji. After a while

Virbhadra got up and striked at Vishnuji with his trishul. Vishnuji fell down.

Virbhadra’s army too got up and hailed him. They unleashed themselves on

the army of the Devtaas.

O Agastya Muni! Virbhadra and Kaali were defeating the devtaas. Kaali was

drinking their blood. Their army was hailing them. Lord Vishnu got up and said

to Virbhadra- O evil Virbhadra! I will kill you and get Daksha’s yagya to be

completed. No one can save you now. My sudarshan-chakra will end your life.

Virbhadra said- O evil Vishnu! Don’t just intimidate me. Strike me if you have

courage. Lord Vishnu directed his sudarshan-chakra at him. The powerful

chakra moved towards Virbhadra and Kaali. Their army was petrified and

surrendered. Then Mahadevji appeared and swallowed the sudarshan-chakra

to save Virbhadra. Lord Vishnu called back his sudarshan-chakra and

proceeded towards Baikunth.

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8th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! After the departure of Lord Vishnu rest of the

Devtaas, Yakshas, Kinners, demons etc. started to run. Everyone was of the

view that now no one can save Dakshaprajapati from the anger of Mahadevji

as even sudarshan-chakra could not stand in front of Mahadevji. Then

Virbhadra threw Daksha on earth and said- O evil! You abused Mahadevji and

Sati Mata finished her life because of you. You are a low and mean person.

Now tell which son-in-law of yours can come to your rescue now. How can you

now complete your yagya without Mahadevji? We will get happy by putting

you in the havan-kund. Virbhadra cut Daksha prajapati’s head from his sword

and put it in the havan-kund. Virbhadra’s associates hailed him and danced.

O Agastya Muni! Virni fell down after seeing the fate of her husband

Dakshaprajapati. She wailed in front of her husband’s body and said- O dear!

Why have you left me? You met this fate because you insulted Mahadevji. She

requested to Virbhadra- O God! My husband is ignorant, egoist and foolish.

Please forgive him. You are very mighty. Please give back my husband to me.

The Devtaas rained flowers on Virbhadra from the sky and prayed to him to

bring back Daksha to life. Virbhadra sympathised with Virni and said- O Virni! I

have burnt your husband’s head. I can put the head of a goat in place of his

head to bring him back to life. He insulted Mahadevji and that’s why he will

have to live like an animal. Virni agreed. Daksha got alive by getting goat’s

head. He hailed Virbhadra, Mahakaali and others and left from there.

Virbhadra, Mahakaali and their associates reached kailash and bowed before

Mahadevji and said- O God! We defeated Daksha’s army and Devtaas,

destroyed Daksha’s yagya and cut his head but gave him the head of a goat on

persistence requests from Virni. Mahadevji was happy and said- O Virbhadra

and Mahakaali! You both are great. I am happy with your valour. Mahadevji

absorbed them in his body.

O Agastya Muni! Mahadevji reached the place where Sati’s body lay. He put

her body on his shoulders and wept. He said- O Sati! The Kailash is lacklustre

without you. My life is meaningless. You used to sit near me and hear stories.

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What will I do now? You met this fate because you didn’t heed my advice. You

always took care of things fond to me. Who will do that now? You always

washed my feet whenever I reached home. Mahadevji cried by keeping her

body on his shoulders. The dead body started smelling.

O Agastya Muni! I will tell you the reason of Daksha’s indifferent attitude

towards Mahadevji. Once upon a time Prayagraj performed a yagya by

congregating the saints. Everyone, including Mahadevji, was invited for the

occasion. When Daksha arrived at that place everyone present there, including

Brahmaji, got up from their seat and wished him. Mahadevji didn’t do that.

Daksha criticised Mahadevji and showered abuses on him. He said- I am

denouncing him from now on and will not give him the respect that other

Devtaas get. Nandi was enraged and abused Daksha- O evil! You are ignorant

about Mahadevji’s power. You have abused him in front of the saints. I curse

you that you and other Brahmans will remain limited just to bless others, not

more than that. Mahadevji pacified Nandi and said- I can’t curse Brahmans and

Vedaas. You should know that Daksha’s curse can’t harm me. Daksha became

an enemy of Mahadevji since then.

Now I will tell you about the places where the body parts of Sati fell and the

Shaktipeeths which originated there as an outcome of that.

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9th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! Everyone was saddened to see Mahadevji’s

state of affairs. The universe was not functioning properly. Indra and other

Devtaas requested Vishnuji to find a solution because the world order had

been disturbed as Mahadevji was carrying the dead body of Sati on his

shoulders.

Vishnuji assured to help them. He created a fly that started tearing apart Sati’s

body. Those body parts fell at different places. Brahma created a Shivling at all

those places. Mahadevji resided at every place in form of Shiv-Shakti. The story

of the positioning of the body parts of Sati and the Shivlings is as follows.

Gugmeshwari Devi, Chandraghanta yogini and Sidheshwar Mahadev in Nepal

(place where back part of the body fell). The Devtaas worshipped there and got

a blessing to become deities in all the four ages (yugas). Kaaamrup peeth,

Kaamakshya Devi and Chakreshwar Mahadev in Kaamrup (place where chest

fell). The yakshas worshipped there and were blessed to become famous in the

three worlds. Kashipeeth, Vishalaksha Devi, Sankata yogini and Vishveshwar

Mahadev in Kashi (place where head fell). The gandharvas worshipped there

and were blessed that their prophecies will prove true.

Porbandh peeth, Ambika Devi, Chandravega, Yogini, Dhaneshwar Mahadev in

Porbandh (place where the right ear fell). The demons worshipped there and

were blessed to win over the devtaas. Kashmir peeth, Sharda Devi, Ghorghanta

yogini, Dharamdhareshwar Mahadev in Kashmir (place where tongue fell). The

Kinners worshipped there and were blessed that their words will come true.

Kanyabuooj peeth, Jhankeshwari Devi, Dugdheshwar Mahadev in Kannauj

(place where the skin of the body fell). Ravana worshipped there and was

blessed to win over the devtaas. Purnagiri peeth, Kapaalkundala yogini,

Chandreshwar Mahadev in Purnagiri (place where the other ear fell). The

Apsaraas worshipped there and were blessed to reach the pinnacle of music

and dance. Chamundachal peeth, Prakampni Devi, Kalika yogini,

Ichchavikareshwar Mahadev in Chamundachal (place where nails fell). Saint

Narada worshipped there and was blessed to speak out true foresight.

Astaachal peeth, Karteshwari Devi, Ekakshi yogini, Nidrapatishwar Mahadev in

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Astaachal (place where the right hand fell). Radha worshipped there and was

blessed to become the divine mate of Lord Krishna and that she will always

remain in his right place. Ekaveer peeth, Sidheshwari Devi, Siddha yogini,

Dughdeshwar Mahadev in Ekaveer (place where the other hand fell).

Kaalmasaan worshipped there and was blessed to perform the last rites of all

dead people. Trishvait peeth, Mahakaleshwari Devi, Vikatdanta yogini,

Tripureshwar Mahadev in Trishvait parbat (place where the Maldwar fell).

Yamaraj worshipped there and was made the God of death. Kaamroshth

peeth, Kaamini Devi, Kaameshwar Mahadev in Kaamroshth (place where neck

fell). Prithvi worshipped there and was blessed to be the origin place of life-

cycle and nature. Kailash peeth, Parvati Devi, Ambika yogini, Vishveshwar

Mahadev in Kailash parbat (place where the right foot fell). Brahma

worshipped there and was made the originator of life. Bhrigu peeth, Mitakshi

Devi, Brahmadaah yogini, Satyeshwar Mahadev in Bhrigu (place where the

front teeth fell). King Dharamdutt worshipped there and was blessed to remain

victorious in wars. Kedar peeth, Kedareshwari Devi, Chamunda yogini,

Koteshwar Mahadev in Kedar (place where the hand fell). The eleven Rudraas

worshipped there and were blessed to possess divine powers. Chandrapur

peeth, Siddheshwari Devi, Prakasheshwar Mahadev in Chandrapur (place

where the right eye fell). The ten Dikpaals worshipped there and were blessed

with power. Shreepaath Bhadra yogini, Kamleshwar Mahadev in Shreepaath

(place where Taalu fell). Ashtavasu worshipped there and were blessed that

their desire will come true.

Ekaveer peeth, Ekaveera Devi, Gauraksha yogini, Haatkeshwar Mahadev in

Ekaveer (place where the navel fell). Naags worshipped there by offering

jewels. Mahadevji blessed them to become the owners of Sapt-pataal lok.

Jalandhar peeth, Jalpadevi, Jwalamukhi yogini, Pishacheshwar Mahadev in

Jalandhar (place where the lower lip fell). Kamdhenu worshipped there and

was blessed that her cowdung and urine will be regarded pious. Mallavi peeth,

Mahakali Devi, Karala yogini, Dhootpaapeshwar Mahadev in Mallavi (place

where the lower parts of the feet fell). The Sun (Surya) worshipped there and

was blessed to shine all throughout the year. Kushlantak peeth, Shamshan Kali

Devi, Bhootghanta yogini, Kshineshwar Mahadev in Kushlanta (place where the

hair of the head fell). The twenty-seven Nakshatraas (Constellations)

worshipped there and were blessed to govern the astrology.

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Devikot peeth, Bhadrakshi yogini, Mateshwar Mahadev in Devikot (place

where both the knees fell). The twelve Astro-signs (Raashis) worshipped there

and were assigned to govern the fate of the human beings. Gokarna peeth,

Bhayhara Devi, Ekdanta yogini, Yagyeshwar Mahadev in Gokarna (place where

both ears fell). Vishkumbha and other Yogaas worshipped there and were

assigned to play a prominent role in the astrology. Maatuleshwar peeth,

Yogeshwari Devi, Pingla yogini, Budhradheshwar Mahadev in Maatuleshwar

(place where the right breast fell). Kashyap and other sages worshipped there

and were blessed with the lordship of the vedaas. Atthahas peeth, Bhramri

Devi, Shankhdhara yogini, Shatbhuteshwar Mahadev in Atthahas (place where

the lower lip fell). Ganga, Vaagmati and other sacred rivers worshipped there.

They were blessed to purify the living beings who will take bath in their holy

waters. Vishva peeth, Bhuvneshwari Devi, Bhawani yogini, Krishanvarneshwar

Mahadev in Vishva (place where the breasts fell). Lord Shree Krishna

worshipped there and was blessed that He will possess the art of winning over

the hearts of the women.

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10th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! Thereafter following Peeths were created.

Rajgriha peeth, Rajrajeshwari Devi, Ulkamukhi yogini, Hareshwar Mahadev in

Rajgriha (place where the elbow fell). Vaayu worshipped there and became the

life-force of all living beings. Mahapanth peeth, Prachanda-Chandika Devi,

Renuka yogini, Vishvamitreshwar Mahadev in Mahapanth (place where both

elbows fell). Vishvavasu worshipped there and were blessed to hypnotise the

Devtaas. Kolapur peeth, Mahalakshmi Devi, Narmada yogini,

Shamshankshneshwar Mahadev in Kolapur (place where the Udara fell).

Garuda worshipped there and was sanctioned to have snakes as his food.

Ekapur peeth, Ratnadevi, Shankupasha yogini, Unmateshwar Mahadev in

Ekapur (place where the right toe fell). The Stones worshipped there to be

blessed to be worshipped as the Devtaas.

Omkar peeth, Matrika Devi, Puradari yogini, Santaneshwar Mahadev in

Omkareshwar (place where the upper lip fell). Kalpavriksha worshipped there

and was blessed that whosoever will desire anything in front of him will get

his/her desire fulfilled. Jayantipur peeth, Jayanti Devi, Khechra yogini,

Kalpeshwar Mahadev in Jayantipur (place where the heart fell). Tulsi and Kusha

worshipped there and Mahadevji blessed them that their presence will be

must in all religious rituals. Ujjain peeth, Mahakali Devi, Lallajjivha yogini,

Jhankeshwar Mahadev in Ujjain (place where the blood-lets fell). Himalya

parbat worshipped there and was blessed to be a salvation provider. Chitrapur

peeth, Suvarneshwari Devi, Chitravarna yogini, Vayevyeshwar Mahadev in

Chitrapur (place where the right ear fell). Yoginigans worshipped there and

were blessed to provide the result of the yagyas. Kshirikapur peeth, Yugadi

Devi, Kaldanka yogini, Sahastreshwar Mahadev in Kshirikapur (place where the

stomach fell). The Maatrikagans worshipped there and were awarded the

lordship of the place. Hastinapur peeth, Chandeshwari Devi, Kotra yogini,

Musukhareshwar Mahadev in Hastinapur (place where the right shoulder fell).

The Sudarshan-chakra worshipped there and was given the power of

destruction. Uddiyaan peeth, Vikla Devi, Pingala yogini, Yaksheshwar Mahadev

in Uddiyaan (place where the head fell). Hanumanji worshipped there and

Mahadevji blessed him to destroy the Lanka and be the greatest devotee of

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Lord Rama. Prayag peeth, Sinhajangha yogini, Mahendreshwar Mahadev in

Prayag (place where the kidneys fell). The Dashavtaars worshipped there and

were blessed to take incarnation in all the four Yugaas to finish the demons.

Vishvapeeth, Jhankeshwari Devi, Jhankali yogini, Kundaleshwar Mahadev in

Vishva (place where the lung fell). Vishvakarma worshipped there and was

blessed to attain fame till eternity. Mayapur peeth, Mahadevi, Chanchalakshi

yogini, Tapseshwar Mahadev inHaridwar (place where the blood-purifying vein

called Tilli fell). The sixty-four Lingaas worshipped there and were blessed to

remain respectable. Mallagiri peeth, Mallika Devi, Kalankjivha yogini,

Umeshwar Mahadev in Mallagiri (place where both elbows fell). The ghosts

worshipped in that dangerous forest and were blessed to remain near

Mahadevji. Sherpur peeth, Umadevi, Ashtvaktra yogini, Yogeshwar Mahadev in

Sherpur (place where Taalu fell). Satya (truth) worshipped there and was

blessed to help those who walk on the path of truth and righteousness.

Harshagiri peeth, Vajreshwari Devi, Kamla yogini, Dharamdhwansheshwar

Mahadev in Harshagiri (place where Aasana fell). Kali worshipped there and

was empowerd to divert the human mind to the wrong path. Neelgiri peeth,

Sarla yogini, Aanandeshwar Mahadev in Neelgiri (place where Mukuta fell).

Sun and other planets worshipped there and were blessed to provide good and

bad results in astrology. Merugiri peeth, Purna Devi, Kapala yogini,

Jivhapateshwar Mahadev in Merugiri (place where Shuchisthan fell). The Naags

worshipped there and were blessed. Mahendra peeth, Indrakshi Devi,

Udharvagamna yogini, Tarkeshwar Mahadev in Mahindrachal (place where

right Tighra fell). Lakshmi Mata worshipped there and was given boon that she

will be worshipped by all on one particular day. That day is Deepawali.

Vaanarpur peeth, Kameshwari Devi, Bherunda yogini, Vedanteshwar Mahadev

in Vaanarpur (place where both legs fell). Lotus and other flowers worshipped

there and were blessed. Hiranyapur peeth, Ratneshwari Devi, Tripurendra

yogini, Naradeshwar Mahadev in Hiranyapur (place where womb fell). Goddess

Saraswati worshipped there and was blessed to become the deity of

education. Mahalakshmipur peeth, Kamalakshi Devi, Digambar yogini,

Trikuteshwar Mahadev inMahalakshmipur (place where left part of the leg

fell). Ashtasidhis’ like Aanim worshipped there and were blessed to remain

safe from destruction. Umeshpur peeth, Tripursundari Devi, Sushankodri

yogini, Bhairaveshwar mahadev in Umeshpur (place where the lower part of

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the waist fell). The clouds worshipped there and were made the Gods of rain.

The rest of the body parts fell in Chchayapur. Chchayakshatra peeth,

Chatreshwar Devi, Sukomala yogini, Pishacheshwar Mahadev originated there.

Kaal and eight Bhairavs worshipped there and they were awarded the lordship

of Maatrikagana. O Agastya muni! A peeth originated at every place where the

body parts of Sati Mata fell. The peeths are seven and a half crores in number.

Whosoever goes to any of these peeths with devotion, gets his/her desire

fulfilled.

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11th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! Lord Shiva was inconsolable even after the body

of Sati ceased to exist. A demon named Tarakasur thought that it was right

time to attack the devtaas and wrest Amravati from them as Mahadevji was

wandering subconsciously. His army waged the war and the Devtaas were

petrified from those powerful demons. The Devtaas ran away from there and

took shelter in the Mrigasthal. Tarkasur brought Amravati under his control.

When Mahadevji reached Mrigasthal the devtaas prayed to him- O Almighty!

Mata Sati’s body is not on your shoulders anymore. Please take care of us now.

We have taken resort here as evil Tarakasur has become powerful because of

your boon. Kill him and save us. Mahadevji opened his eyes and looked at

them. He didn’t respond to them and went away crying for Sati. O Agastya

muni! The whole world was under the spell of sorrow at that time. When

hundred years passed away, Mahadevji thought- Sati has left me. What should

I do now? He thought to spend time in meditation. He reached Brahamputra in

Karnataka in the south. The saints there had gone to take bath. Their wives

rued the sad state of Mahadevji as he had become weak. They decided to

follow him. The saints came to know about this and met Mahadevji and asked

him why he was taking away their wives. Mahadevji said- Why would I steal

your wives? The saints pointed towards the women who were following him.

The saints got angry and cursed him that his Mahadev-Jyotirling shall fall.

When the Mahadev-Jyotirling fell there the world started to collapse. The

Devtaas were petrified. Lord Vishnu appeared there and started worshipping

the Mahadev-Jyotirling. The saints hailed Lord Vishnu. Vishveshwar Mahadev

appeared from that Jyotirling and said- O Rishis! You cursed me without any

fault of me. Your words will not remain pure now. Your women won’t believe

in you. To get over from this curse, you will have to do meditation by

controlling your senses. Only then you will be able to save your wives from the

effect of my curse.

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12th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! Giriraj Himalaya performed many religious

rituals when he learnt that his wife Maneka was pregnant. A girl took birth

after ten months whose face shone like the sun and whose eyes were very

beautiful. The astrologers said to Himalaya- Your daughter’s name will be

Parvati. She will get married to Mahadevji and will have world under her feet.

She will demolish the demons. Himalaya presented gifts to the astrologers.

Parvati started growing like the moon. She used to make Shivlings of sand and

play with them. One day Narada muni said to Lord Vishnu in Baikunth- O Lord!

Himalaya’s daughter Parvati is perfectly beautiful. You are the best match for

her and should marry her. Vishnuji asked- Will Himalaya marry her to me?

Narada assured him to talk to Himalaya on this matter and reached Himalaya’s

residencs and said to him- O Giriraj! I want your daughter to get married to

Lord Vishnu. Himalaya was happy. Narada informed this to Vishnuji. Himalaya

made adequate arrangements of the marriage of her daughter and invited

Guru Vashishth and the Devtaas. Lord Vishnu reached the marriage place on

the day of the marriage. Parvati’s friends asked her- Do you know that you are

being married to Vishnuji today? Parvati replied- I have always desired to

marry Mahadevji. I will end my life if I am married to someone else. Her friends

said- If this is your wish then you should leave this place. We will take you to an

unknown place where no one else will find you. Parvati left for the forest with

them. Others searched for her when the time to marry drew nearer. Lord

Vishnu and others left the place. Parvati was worshipping at that place by

making a Shivling of sand to please Mahadevji. Two demons named Praghosh-

Damghosh got attracted to her there and teased her. Suddenly Mahadevji

appeared from the Shivling of sand and asked her- O Shailputri! Why are you

worshipping me? What do you want? Parvati bowed to him and said- O Lord! I

want to marry you. I was being married to Lord Vishnu and to avoid that I have

come to this place. Please save me. Mahadevji said- I cant’t marry you without

your parents’ consent. Pray to Vishnuji and request to him to show you a way.

Parvati happily moved for her home.

Himalaya was angry at her. Parvati said- O father! I want to marry Mahadevji

since childhood. Himalaya recalled the prediction of the astrologer who had

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said that Parvati will get married to Mahadevji. Parvati worshipped Lord Vishnu

who came to bless her in his divine four-armed form and asked her to ask for a

boon of her choice. Parvati said that she wants to marry Mahadevji. Vishnuji

said- I will tell you about a great fast of “Shree Swasthani Mataji”. It can fulfil

your desire. Lord Vishnu told her the procedure of the fast and the outward

appearance of Mataji. {It has been thoroughly explained in the

chapters earlier named Vrat’s Procedure and Mataji’s

Outward Appearance}

Lord Vishnu said to Parvati- O Parvati! Keep this fast with utmost devotion.

After its completion Mahadevji will bless you and fulfil your eternal desire.

Parvati was very happy to hear that and hailed Lord Vishnu.

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13th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! Parvati started the fast in the right earnest and

with proper procedure. She started revering Swasthani Mataji and Mahadevji.

Indra said to the other devtaas- The end time of Tarakasur is near. With the

grace of Mata Swasthani, Parvati will marry Mahadevji. Their son will

ultimately kill Tarakasur. Mahadevji has become detached after Sati’s demise.

We need Kamdev’s services to generate the feelings of love in Mahadevji’s

heart. Vaayu called Kamdev. Indra told him- O Kamdev! Mahadevji is

meditating hard these days by controlling his sense organs. You go and

generate the feeling of love and pleasure in his heart. Kamdev followed their

order and directed the arrow of love towards Mahadevji at an appropriate

time. Mahadevji wondered about the effect caused by this phenomenon. He

boiled with anger when he came to knew that Kamdev had caused this to him.

Kamdev got perished with the effect of Mahadevji’s anger that emanated from

his third eye. Kamdev’s wife Rati prayed to Mahadevji- O Lord! My husband is

innocent. He came here at the behest of Indra. You are kind and a protector of

good souls. Please give back life in my husband. Mahadevji sympathised with

Rati and said- O Rati! Lord Vishnu will incarnate as Lord Krishna in the Dwapar

Yug. Kamdev will take birth as Krishna’s son and you both will get united then.

Mahadevji decided to meditate to assess where Sati had taken birth.He saw

with his divine eyes that Sati had taken birth as Parvati and she wants to marry

him. Mahadevji took a disguised form of Indra and reached where Parvati was

worshipping him and Swasthani Mata. She said O Mata! You are the divine

force of this universe. Even Brahma, Saraswati and Sheshnaag can’t describe

your power. I bow to you. Please bless me and fulfil my desire. She welcomed

Mahadevji who had come in the figure of Indra- O Indra Dev! How come you

came here? Indra said- I am happy with your meditation. You want to marry

Mahadevji but he lives with the ghosts, eats non desirable things and wears

the skin of the animals. He is not a good match for you to marry. I am the king

of the Devtaas. Marry me and enjoy the pleasures of my kingdom. Parvati was

displeased to hear that. She said- Evil Indra! I can’t hear Mahadevji’s insult. She

decided to curse Indra. Immediately Mahadevji came back to his original self

and said- O Parvati! I am not Indra. I am Mahadev. I was just testing your

45

devotion towards me. Mahadevji showed her his divine form. Parvati bowed to

him and said- O Lord! Vishnuji advised me to perform Swasthani Mata’s fast to

attain you. Mahadevji took her with him and reached Himalaya’s home to

discuss their marriage. Himalaya was very happy to learn this. He consulted

Guru Brahaspati and other astrologers and they fixed the date for their

marriage. He invited all the Devtaas, Yakshaas, Kinners and Apsaraas etc. for

marriage. Parvati was dressed-up beautifully on the day of marriage. She was

looking beautiful than anyone else in the universe. During a ritual of the

marriage Mahadevji was asked to reveal his gotra. Mahadevji remained quiet.

No one knew about Mahadevji’s gotra. Sage Narada came there at that time

playing his instrument, veena, and said- O Himalaya! It is foolish to ask about

the gotra of him who is the Supreme force of this universe. Mahadevji has no

parents and thus he has no gotra. No one can describe his personality as he is

above the circle of birth and death. Marry your daughter to him. Everyone

seconded Narada’s opinion. Himalaya happily married his daughter to

Mahadevji. The rituals were performed and the feast was served to all.

Everyone blessed them.

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14th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! Parvatiji gave the prasada of Swasthani Mata to

Mahadevji and said- O God! My desire to marry you got fulfilled because of

Swasthani Mata’s fast. There are many people in the world who are suffering

on one account or the other. The knowledge of this fast should reach those

people so that they can transform their lives and end their sorrow. Mahadevji

said- O Parvati! I am happy to see your kind and sympathetic attitude. On

Mahadevji’s advice Parvatiji sent Rishi Ashwathama to Pataal lok to propagate

the story of this auspicious fast. He was asked to guide those people, who were

in distress, poor, didn’t have child or husband. The saint moved from there.

Mahadevji went to an unknown place and hided himself to test Parvatiji. She

moved from there barefoot to search him. She said- O dear! Why are you

teasing me? Don’t you like me? Mahadevji took form of an animal called

Kiraati in the Shaleshmantak Vann.

Parvatiji saw through her divine eyes that Mahadevji was playing there in that

form. She also took form of a Kiraatani and started to live under a big tree in

that forest.

Mahadevji came there and got attracted to her. He said- O beautiful! Are you a

Devkanya, Yakshkanya, Naagkanya or an Apsara? You are the most beautiful

female. What are you doing here? She saw Mahadevji, who had snake in his

neck and bow and trident in his hands, and said- O Kiraat! I am living here for

many years and don’t fear animals. I meditate here. Kiraat said- I am alone like

you. We should live together here. Kiraatani said- You are male and I am

female. The night is approaching. It is not correct for us to live together. Kiraat

said- Don’t worry. I will not touch you. She obliged. They started living together

there. Parvatiji said- O Mahadevji! You are here and kailash is deserted without

you. Come back. Mahadevji thought- How come she knew that I am here. He

thought that may be the Devtaas had disclosed about my hidden place. He saw

Kiraatani who was plucking the fruits and said- Where were you? I am

searching for you barefoot. She said that she was feeling hungry and was

searching for food. Mahadevji got attracted to her and tried to hold her. She

said- I am meditating here to get Mahadevji as husband. I will not accept you.

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Mahadevji said- I am Mahadev. He showed her his divine form. Kiraatani said-

You will have to approach my parents regarding our marriage. Mahadevji

followed her and when they reached at Himalaya’s residence, Mahadevji

understood that she was Parvati. He was embarrassed and got disappeared. He

resided in the Shaleshmantak Vann as Kiraanteshwar. Parvatiji meditated there

and took bath. That place is called Gaurighat. Whosoever worships or takes

bath there gets salvation. O Agastya Muni! Mahadevji appeared befor Parvati.

She said- What is my fault that you are hurting me? Mahadevji took her

alongside and they reached Himalaya’s home who was happy to receive them.

They stayed there for five days and asked for Himalaya’s permission to leave.

Himalaya said- O Shashishekhar! You possess the capability to destroy the

world. You drank poison after the samudra-manthan. I bow to you. You are

called Tripurari as you killed Tripur demons. Your power is endless. No one is

capable to describe your might. Mahadevji was happy with Himalaya’s prayers

and blessed him that his desire will get fulfilled. He moved to Kailash with

Parvatiji.

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15th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! One day Parvatiji created a boy and placed him

to stand outside her home.

That boy didn’t let Mahadevji move inside the home. Mahadevji cut his throat

and moved inside. When Parvatiji learnt the incident she cried by saying that

he was her son. Mahadevji said that he was unaware of this fact and assured to

give back life to him. He called his ganaas and told them to bring the head of

anyone who meets them first. They found an elephant first and brought his

head. Mahadevji put that on the child’s body. The child got alive. He was

named Ganesh. Mahadevji went to his room. Indra said to Agni- The world

order will get disrupted without Mahadevji. So take Parvatiji to Kaashi. Agni

entered Kailash when Mahadevji and Parvatiji were there. Mahadevji was

angry to saw him and was about to finish him when Parvatiji stopped him and

said- It is unjust to kill the guest. Give him something. He gave him a divine

liquid. Agni consumed that and got pregnant. She spit that in the bushes near

the shore of the river Ganga. The wives of the saints had come there to take

bath. Due to the effect of that left over divine liquid they also got pregnant.

The saints were enraged to saw their pregnant wives and cursed them and

disowned them. They were innocent so with Mahadevji’s blessing they became

stars in the sky. A six-faced boy was born due to the effect of the liquid spit by

the wives of the saints. That boy lived as the son of Ganga. O Agastya Muniji! I

am that six-faced boy; Kumarji said about himself.

One day Mahadevji called me and Ganesh and said- Go and take the round of

the world. Whoever comes first will be blessed by me. I moved on my vehicle,

Mayur. Ganesh thought that the parents, Mahadevi and Parvatiji, are the

world for him. Ganesh took three rounds of his parents and said- You are the

world and the God for me. Mahadevji was extremely happy with the

devotional attitude of Ganesh and blessed him- O Ganesh! You are remarkable.

I bless that your name will be taken henceforth to start any work. No religious

ritual would be deemed to be complete without revering you. O Agastya Muni!

When I didn’t return after so many days, my mother Ganga was worried.

Mahadevji assured her and said- O Ganga! Do Swasthani Mataji’s Vrat (fast).

49

Your son will return soon. My mother performed this fast with utmost

dedication and in the proper way as prescribed. Due to this Mahadevji blessed

me that I will also be remembered and worshipped during any religious ritual.

Agastya Rishi said- O Skandkumar! How did Tarakasur get the boon? How was

he killed and how Amravati was taken from his control? Kumarji said- O

Agastya Muni! Tarakasur saw a saint worshipping at Dugdhprabha teerth and

decided to follow the same. He requested that saint to guide him. The saint

said- Worship Lord Brahma at the Himalayas. Brahmaji was happy with

Tarakasur’s meditation and appeared in front of him and asked him to ask for a

boon. Tarakasur said- O Lord! Bless me to remain victorious till five divine

years of your age. Devtaas should not win over me. Whosoever cuts my head

gets finished. Brahma obliged and presented him Brahmastra.

Tarakasur attacked Amravati. The Devtaas retaliated. Many soldiers from both

the sides were killed. The head priest of the demons, Guru Shukracharya,

applied Sanjivani on the dead demons to give back life to them. The Devtaas

were defeated. Their head priest, Guru Brahaspati, told them that Tarakasur

was unconquerable due to Brahmaji’s boon. Only Mahadevji can finish him.

The Devtaas reached Kailash and prayed to Mahadevji- O Lord! Tarakasur has

wrested Amravati from us. Only you can save us now. Mahadevji said- My son

Kumar will kill that demon. Make him your commander. They moved from

there for war under Kumar’s leadership. No one talked to Ganeaha. Ganesh

said to Musa- My father blessed me that I will be remembered before any

auspicious work but they have forgotten me. Musa, in retaliation, cut the bow

that was kept there for auspices. The Devtaas were worried and prayed to

Mahadevji who told them- You forgot to revere Ganesha first. It has caused

this. Pacify him and everything will be fine. The devtaas worshipped Ganesha

and then moved to fight with Tarakasur’s army. During the war Tarakasur

pushed Kumarji’s cart back. Kumarji retaliated more severely. Kumarji directed

chandrabaan at Tarakasur that cut his head. The sun had set but the stars had

not surfaced in the sky. Mahadevji took his head in his hands. He didn’t let it

fall on earth. All the devtaas hailed Mahadevji when they reached Kailash.

Permit us to move to Amravati. Mahadevji said- May you live happily in your

kingdom. The Devtaas departed to Amravati.

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16th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! One day Mahadevji disguised as a deer to live in

the Shaleshmantak vann. Parvatiji was saddened by his absence. She saw

through her divine eyes where Mahadevji was. She started meditating hard at

the Shore of Vaagmati River. Kailash was deserted by their absence. Brahma

and the other Devtaas reached the place where Parvatiji was meditating. They

prayed to her- O mother! You are meditating here. Mahadevji is somewhere

else. How will the world function without the two of you? Parvatiji said- There

is a big pond in Shaleshmantak vann. Mahadevji is living there in the disguise of

a deer. Go and meet him. They went there and started praying for Mahadevji.

A deer appeared there. They prayed- O God! You have left us and the Kailash

parbat orphaned. Please show us your divine form. The deer started to run.

Lord Vishnu said- O Devtaas! Cover Mahadevji from all sides. The horns of the

deer were held by Vishnuji from the bottom, Brahmaji from the middle and

Indra from the top. The deer disappeared leaving the three parts of the horns

in their hands. All of them prayed to Mahadevji who appeared in his divine

form and said- I am happy with your prayers. Ask for anything. Devtaas asked

where to put those parts of the horns. Mahadevji replied- I forgive you for

breaking the horns. Place the part held by Indra in Indralok; Vishnuji’s in Pataal

and Brahmaji’s at Gokarna in Nepal. Mahadevji returned to Kailash along with

Parvatiji. Ravana used to worship Mahadevji in Gokarna. Mahadevji was

appeased with his prayers and asked him to ask for a boon. Ravana said- O

Lord! I don’t need anything. Mahadevji said- Still ask something. Ravana

replied- Then give me Parvati. Mahadevji fulfilled his wish and Ravana moved

for Lanka with Parvatiji. When Vishnuji learnt this he disguised as Mohini and

waited on the way. Vishnuji, in the disguise of Mohini, asked Ravana- Who are

you? What are you taking and where? Ravana replied- I am the king of Lanka,

Ravana. I hav got Parvati in boon from Mahadevji. Mohini laughed and said- o

Ravana! You are a brave man. Why do you believe all? Mahadevji has given

you an artificial Parvati and you believed him. If you want real Parvati ask

Mahadevji to give her to you. She actually is under his throne. Ravana was

deceived by Vishnuji. He left Parvatiji there and reached Kailash and said- You

have made a fool of me. The real Parvati is under your throne. Give her to me.

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Mahadevji understood the reality from his divine eyes. He created an artificial

Parvati and pulled her from his throne. Ravana took her to Lanka. Vishnuji

brought Parvatiji to Kailash. One day Mahadevji went to Mansarovar to take a

dip in water in the disguise of Rajhansa. Jalandhar was also there with his wife

Vrinda and said to her- O Vrinda! I am fortunate to have a beautiful wife like

you. Vrinda laughed and said- I am nothing in comparison to Mahadevji’s wife,

Parvati. Jalandhar said- If this is the truth then I will steal her. Jalandhar

disguised as Mahadevji and reached Kailash. Parvatiji brought water to wash

his feet. Jalandhar fell down and became unconscious as he saw her. Parvatiji

realised that it was Jalandhar in Mahadevji’s form. She prayed to Vishnuji.

Vishnuji appeared and said- O Mata! Why have you called me? Parvatiji

apprised him of the incident. Vishnuji said- O mother! He has done a very bad

deed. He thrives on the power of his wife, Vrinda. I will go and take away

Vrinda’s power. Vishnuji moved to Mansarovar on his vehicle, Garuda.

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17th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! Mahadevji was surprised by the arrival of

Vishnuji at Mansarovar and said- O Govind! What brought you here? Vishnuji

replied- O Lord! Jalandhar disguised himsemself in your form with an intention

to steal mother Parvati. He though became unconscious on seeing her. Mataji

called me to appraise the situation. You should leave for Kailash now. I am

going to destroy the meditative strength of Jalandhar’s wife, Vrinda. Mahadevji

came back to his original self by denouncing the disguise of the Rajhansa and

said- Please complete your work as only the end of Jalandhar will satisfy me

now. Mahadevji reached Kailash where Parvatiji washed his feet and explained

to him the complete incident. Mahadevji said- Vishnuji has gone to destroy

Vrinda’s meditative strength. After that I will kill Jalandhar. Vishnuji disguised

as Jalandhar and reached his home. Vrinda thought that he was her husband.

She washed his feet and said- O dear! You went to Kailash. How beautiful is

Parvati? Vishnuji in the disguise of Jalandhar said- O Vrinda! It is difficult to

steal Parvati. I was petrified from their guards. Vrinda thought that her

husband can’t be a coward. She realised from her divine knowledge that it was

Lord Vishnu who had come to deceive her. She asked him to wait in the home

till she comes back. Vrinda moved outside and sat in wait for her husband.

Four days passed and Vishnuji was still sitting inside waiting for her.

Mahadevji saw the reality through his divine eyes. He created a sixteen-year

monk and asked him to attain Vishnuji from Vrinda. The monk went to

Jalandhar’s home and asked for donation from Vrinda. She replied- What do

you want? I will fulfil your desire. It’s my promise. The monk said- Give me the

one who is inside your home. Vrinda fulfilled the promise and gave away the

prisoner to the monk. They moved for Kailash. On the way Garuda’s sound

broke Jalandhar’s unconsciousness. He came back to his home. All the Devtaas,

Yakshaas, Kinners, Gandharvaas etc. made a plan to kill Jalandhar and moved

to wage war against him. When Jalandhar reached his home Vrinda asked her

about his plan to steal Parvati. Jalandhar said- I got unconsciousness on seeing

Parvati. Garuda’s sound brought me back to my normal self. Vrinda said-

Vishnu came here in your absence to deceive me. I imprisoned him but a monk

took him away in donation. Jalandhar was angry. He said- I will now again try

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to steal Parvati. He moved outside where Narada met him and said- O

Jalandhar! All the Devtaas are coming to fight with you. Prepare for the war

now. Jalandhar readied his army to battle with them. There was a terrific battle

fought between them. Mahadevji asked Vishnuji to try once again to deceive

Vrinda because until her meditative strength eroded, Jalandhar was

unbeatable. Vishnuji went to Jalandhar’s home in his disguise. Vrinda asked-

Dear! What happened to the war against Mahadevji? He replied- The war has

not finished. I got tired and have thus come to take rest. Vrinda served him

food. Vishnuji, in the disguise of Jalandhar, destroyed the strength of Vrinda by

spending time with her. Next morning Vishnuji appeared in his Chaturbhuj

form before Vrinda. Vrinda was infuriated. Vishnuji said- Jalandhar must have

been killed by now. You will get this news soon. You have got me in place of

him. You need not worry. Vishnuji consoled her and disappeared from there.

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18th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! Jalandhar’s power started to diminish as soon as

Vishnuji corroded Vrinda’s power that emanated from her character. In the

battlefield Mahadevji opened his third eye and pierced his trident in

Jalandhar’s chest. Vrinda cried at the demise of her husband and said- Dear!

Why have you left me? You met your end due to Vishnu’s deception. She

cursed Vishnuji in anger- You are the reason for my husband’s death. I curse

you to become bush, grass, tree and stone. Vrinda finished her life near her

husband’s dead body. O Agastya Muni! Due to Vrinda’s curse Vishnuji lives as

bush in Tulsi; as grass in Kusha; as tree in Peepal and as stone in Shaligram.

Hence the world considers these things as Narayan. O muni! The strength of a

lady’s character is supreme. Vishnuji approached Mahadevji and told him the

story about Vrinda’s curse. Mahadevji reached Kailash with his associates.

Kumarji said- O Muniraj! This was the story about the swarg. Now I will tell you

about the pataal. Rishi Ashwathama went to pataal as per Parvatiji’s guidance.

The snakes lorded over the Pataal. It was a beautiful and prosperous place.

Rishi Ashwathama said to their king Sheshnaag- O Sheshnaag! Parvati Mata

sent me here to propagate Shree Swasthani Mataji’s fast. Tell me if there is any

depressed soul here so that their suffering is done away with the effect of this

auspicious fast. Sheshnaag said- O Ashwathama! There is no distressed soul

here. But in the forest nearby there are homes of Shankhchood, Ratanchood,

Kripadutt and Dhartrashtra naags. Their wives are in distress. Rishi

Ashwathama went there and enquired about the reason of their sorrow.

Shankhchood’s wife Hirawati, Ratanchood’s wife Ratnawati, Kripadutt’s wife

Mrigawati and Dhartrashtra’s wife Madnawati said to him- We were living here

happily with our husbands. They went outside one day and have not returned

since then. We are waiting for them and are in distress. Our prayers have not

yielded results so far. Please show us a way. We don’t have the children either.

The Rishi said- O snake-women! Swasthani Mataji’s fast has the capability to

reunite you with your husbands. Mata Parvati has sent me here to propagate

the grandeur of this magnificent fast. The snake-women were elated and

requested him to tell them about the procedure of Swasthani Mataji’s fast. The

Rishi said- In the Satyayug king Himalaya’s daughter, Parvati, performed this

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fast in order to fulfil her desire of getting married to Mahadevji. She was

blessed by Swasthani Mataji and got married to Mahadevji. You all should

follow her way and perform this fast with utmost dedication.

Rishi Ashwathama explained to them the complete procedure of the fast and

the timing to start it.

He said- Your worries will finish after the completion of this auspicious fast.

Believe in my words and never doubt the authenticity of this fast. The snake-

women requested him to stay there for the time being till their fast gets

completed. Rishi Ashwathama obliged and helped them in starting the fast

with the right procedure. The snake-women remembered Swasthani Mataji

and expressed their desires. When the fast ended after a month; the great

Swasthani Mata, glittering more than the thousand suns, appeared before

them and said- O snake-women! Your sorrows will end now. Your husbands

will return soon. Swasthani Mataji disappeared then. Their husbands returned

home. The snake-women thanked Swasthani Mataji from the core of their

hearts and gave to their husbands the prashad of eight rotis each that they had

kept for the fast. They served food to Rishi Ashwathama and donated some

items to him. The Rishi took their leave and reached at Kailash to meet Parvati

Mata. The snake fraternity lived happily thereafter.

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19th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! This was Pataal’s story. Now I will tell you about

the story of Mrityulok. There was a village named Brahmapur in the south. The

people there were religious, brave and prosperous. A Brahman named

Shivbhatt was the poorest person there. He was truthful and spiritual by

nature. His wife’s name was Sati. They were leading a difficult life. One day

Shivbhatt said to Sati- we are very poor. We will worship Lord Ganesha to

become prosperous. The couple started the prayers from a Tuesday and

followed it for next eight Tuesdays. Ganeshji appeared before them on day and

said- I am happy with your devotion. Ask what to you want to get from me. The

couple bowed to him and said- O Lord! We might have not donated anything in

the past because we are leading a very poor life. Please finish off our poverty.

Ganesha replied- When you will worship me on next Tuesday, take whatever

comes from my mouth to your home. Hide it for four days in a vessel and after

that it will turn into gold. The couple followed his advice and saw a laddu

(sweet dish) in the temple when they worshipped Ganesha next Tuesday. They

thanked Ganeshji and brought the laddu to home. They kept it in their home

and it turned to gold after four days. They were elated and thanked Ganeshji.

Their poverty ended and they became rich. One day Shivbhatt said to his wife-

We will do donation in this birth so that we don’t remain poor in the

subsequent births. They started worshipping Harihar Dev. They flourished

thereafter. They were getting old so they worshipped Ganeshji to get a child

who could look after them in the old age. Ganeshji was happy with their

devotion and asked them to express their desire. Shivbhatt said- O Lord! Give

us progeny who can look after us and our wealth. Ganeshji said- Pray here on

the next Tuesday. You will find a cow here. When she will withdraw gobar,

don’t let it fall on the land. Take it home and keep it in a vessel. After four days

you will see a daughter there. You can’t get a son due to the acts of your last

birth. They followed his advice and got a beautiful daughter.

O Agastya Muni! The beauty of that girl can’t be described in words. She

radiated like sun and moon. She was delicate like flower. The couple

worshipped Ganeshji as Sati was inefficient to provide the mother’s feed (milk)

to her. Ganeshji blessed her and she was able to breast-feed her daughter.

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She was named Goma by the Brahmans as she originated from the gobar. They

predicted that she was a lucky child and will become famous. She started

growing up. One day Shivbhatt and Sati went to take bath in the river Ganga.

They worshipped God and donated many things. The devtaas feared their

spiritual strength. Indra said to Mahadevji in Kailash- O Lord! This couple has

attained wealth and grace due to their spiritual strength. I fear to lose my

kingdom to them. Please help me. Mahadevji replied- O Indra! Go back to

Amrawati. I will save you.

Mahadevji disguised as a monk and reached Shivbhatt’s home. Goma was

present there. She asked him to wait as she was preparing the puja-samagri.

She came outside after doing her work and apologised to him for making him

to wait. The monk said- You made me wait for long. Give me the material that

you have prepared for your parents. Goma replied- I can’t give you that. Take

whatever I am offering you. The monk got enraged and said- You have insulted

me due to your ego. I curse you that you will get married to an old man of

seventy-year age when you will turn seven. The wealth of your parents will

cease to exist and they will die consequently. You will face many hardships in

life. The monk went away after cursing her.

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20th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! Goma was depressed to hear the curse of the

monk. When Shivbhatt and Sati returned home in the evening they asked

Goma the reason of her crying. Goma said- In your absence I was preparing

puja-samagri for you. A monk visited our house for some donation. I asked him

to wait for some time. He was annoyed for the delay and wanted the material

that I had prepared for you. When I refused to give him that, he fumed with

anger and cursed me that I will get married to an old man, our wealth will be

destroyed, my parents will die soon and I will face hardships. Shivbhatt said-

That monk was none other than Mahadevji. His curse won’t affect you. Stop

crying. Shivbhatt searched a bridegroom for her when she turned six but was

unable to find one due to Mahadevji’s curse. One day he met an old man at the

shore of the river Ganga. That man was badly dressed and introduced himself

as Shiv Sharma. He was searching for a bride ever since he was sixteen years

old. Shiv Sharma said to Shivbhatt- The solution of the worries of both of us is

in the marriage of your daughter with me. Shivbhatt said- What are you

saying? You are seventy-year old while my delicate daughter is just seven years

in age. Shiv Sharma said that he will commit suicide if his request was not met

in affirmation. Shivbhatt thought that may be that was the fate of her

daughter. He reminded Mahadevji’s curse. He took him to his home and said to

wife that had he not adhered to Shiv Sharma’s wish, the latter would have

committed suicide. The monk had cursed our daughter to marry an old man.

We can’t change her destiny. That’s why I brought him here to marry him to

our daughter. His wife said- You are committing a grave mistake by marrying

off our daughter to this old man. If he wants to commit suicide let him do that.

We should not get intimidate by his threats. I will search for a good boy for our

daughter. Shiv Sharma was listening to them and said- There are all types of

people in this world. Some are rich, handsome or happy while some are poor,

old or ugly. Some are masters while others are servants. Everyone will grow old

one day as this is the circle of life. Please marry your daughter to me otherwise

I will curse you before finishing my life. Shivbhatt said to his wife- Why you fail

to understand that the monk who cursed our daughter was none other than

Mahadevji himself. No one in this world has the power to change the course of

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action decided by Mahadevji. Sati said- Why God cursed my daughter? The

astrologers had said that she is very lucky. Why is their prophesy turning to

ashes now? What wrong have we committed that we are facing such a

dreadful situation? Shivbhatt replied- Stop crying because that happens which

the God writes. Give special treatment to Shiv Sharma. Sati then prepared

good food for him.

At night Sati said to her daughter, Goma- Your marriage has been fixed to an

old man by your father. The monk who cursed you was Mahadevji himself. No

one can defy his words. So don’t blame yourself or us for your plight. Sati wept

when she said this to her daughter. Goma pacified her mother and said- If this

is my destiny then no one can alter it. I am reaping the results of my deeds.

The people who don’t satisfy the guest-monks have to bear such state of

affairs while they are blessed who serve them in a proper way.

O mother! Don’t worry for me. My husband is like God for me even if he is old,

ill and poor. Even Lord Rama had to spend fourteen years in the forest due to

the effect of destiny. Mahadevji had to drink poison and king Yudhishthir had

to leave his kingdom due to the effect of fate. Draupadi was misbehaved in

front of huge gathering and king Baali had to move to Pataal due to fate. No

one can make changes to the destiny. The person gets what has been assigned

to him by the destiny. I will happily marry with the person of your choice. Sati

said- O dear daughter! You are unmatched. You are so wise even in such a

tender age.

Shiv Sharma became healthy after some days due to the services and food

provided to him by Goma’s family. Their marriage was solemnised at a proper

time as prescribed by the astrologers. Both Goma and Shiv Sharma were nicely

dressed on that day. The guests were properly served. The newly-wed couple

stayed there for some time after the marriage.

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21st Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! They spent ten years there. Shiv Sharma

thought it wise to leave his in-laws place and told them- O dear parents! I have

been out of my home for a very long time. Please permit me to take leave now.

Shivbhatt replied- This home is also as much yours. Please don’t go from here.

Shiv Sharma said- Allow me to visit my home once. I will return after some

time as you are my guardians and parents. You take care of me with such

affection that I would love to come back here.

Goma said to her husband- Please don’t insist on leaving alone. I will also

accompany you. Shiv Sharma replied- Goma, you are young and tender. The

way to my home passes through a series of forests and mountains. You haven’t

faced the hardships of life. I am old and thus will not be able to protect you

from the miscreants. So let me go alone. I will return in a couple of months.

Goma said- I can’t live without you. I am ready to tread the difficult path along

with you. I will finish my life if you try to leave alone.

Shiv Sharma said- If this is your wish then take permission from your parents.

Goma requested her parents to let her go. Her parents said- O daughter!

Please don’t insist to leave us. You are our daughter as well as our son. Who

will take care of us in your absence? Who will serve us food and water?

Without you our life would be like a night without moon. We will also leave

this world as Dashrathji left in absence of Ramchandraji. Let your husband go.

He will return back in a couple of months. Goma said- Dear parents! The wife’s

life revolves around her husband. The rituals, donation, fasting etc. are not

needed if the wife is devoted to her husband. I can’t neglect my duty of serving

my old husband. Her parents replied- You are speaking the worldly-wise things.

How can we stop you now? Goma’s parents wept a lot after allowing her to go.

They presented many good things to her like ornaments, clothes and other

valuable things. They sent many servants to depart their daughter. They wept a

lot and said to her on departure- O dear daughter! Don’t forget us and return

soon.

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22nd Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! Shivbhatt and Sati glanced at their daughter till

she went away from their eyes. They were weeping and consoling each other.

They were looking at her departing daughter by standing on the branch of a

tree. Due to the curse of Mahadevji that branch broke and they both fell down

and died. Mahadevji’s envoys came there from the Kailash parbat and took

them to the abode of the Lord.

Shiv Sharma and Goma entered a forest on their way. She asked her servants

about the names of the forest, creatures that she saw there and the time left

for the remaining journey. At night they had their meals near a pond and slept

there afterwards. Due to the curse of Mahadevji some thieves stole all their

jewellery and money. Goma and her servants were astonished to learn this in

the morning. The servants said- What explanation will we give now to your

parents about our carelessness? What should we do now? Goma replied- You

all go back from here. Don’t narrate this incident to my parents. The servants

left.

Shiv Sharma and Goma moved from there. Goma was pregnant and was not

getting the diet required in this state. They lived on whatever meagre they got

there. Shiv Sharma showed her his small hut when they reached Chandrajyoti

Nagar. Goma was in tears to see that place because she had spent all her life in

the luxurious home of her parents. She consoled herself and started the

cleaning work. Shiv Sharma said to her- You are pregnant and there is nothing

to eat in our home. I will have to go abroad to earn. Take care of you till then.

Goma replied- How can you think of leaving me alone in this unknown place?

We will arrange something here. Shiv Sharma said that he will return in a

month. She agreed. Shiv Sharma left and reached at the home of some saints

near the shore of the Ganga and requested them to pluck some fruits from the

trees there. The saints gave him their consent. Due to the curse of Mahadevji

the branch of the tree broke and he fell from the tree. He left his body and

came back into his original self. Shiv Sharma was in fact Mahadevji himself.

Mahadevji reached Kailash where Parvatiji washed his feet and said- People

deceive innocent women. You have left Goma pregnant. How will she manage

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her life now? Mahadevji replied- O Parvati! Rest assured; Goma will be free of

sorrows soon.

Goma’s life became difficult in the absence of Shiv Sharma. She lived on

donation. After nine months she gave birth to a son. The astrologers named

him Navraj and predicted that he will become a king one day. Goma served

them food and donation. Goma raised Navraj with hard work. Navraj was

humble, amiable and disciplined by nature. He used to assist her mother. He

learnt the work of performing religious rituals. One day someone suggested to

Goma to marry Navraj to Chandravati, daughter of Agni Brahman of Varanpur.

Goma feared her poor condition as a stumbling block. The people assured that

they will support her in this endeavour. Subsequently the marriage was fixed

and Navraj was married to Chandravati.

One day Navraj’s friends asked him about his father’s name and whereabouts.

Navraj didn’t have the answer and asked his mother at home about it. Goma

wept and said- your father went abroad to earn money when you were still

unborn. He hasn’t returned till today. Navraj assured her that he will go to

search his father. Goma said that she will feel alone in his absence. Navraj said-

it is the duty of the son to serve his father otherwise he gets cursed by the

Almighty. I haven’t seen my father ever since I was born. I will go to search

him. If he is alive then I will bring him back otherwise I will perform his last

rites in the appropriate manner. Only then my life will be meaningful.My wife

is here to serve you in my absence. Goma blessed her dutiful son. He asked his

wife to take care of his mother and went away.

Navraj started probing for his father and co-incidentally reached the home of

the Brahman couple where his father had breathed last. They explained to him

how his father died by falling from the tree while plucking fruits. Navraj

collected the bones of his father which were lying there. He wept and said-

Why did you leave me alone? What will I say to my mother? How will she

react? Navraj performed the last rites of his mother at the shore of the river

Ganga. He thought it wise to do a job for some time to earn money. He worked

for the king thereafter.

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23rd Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! One day Navraj’s wife said to Goma- It has been

a long time since I visited my parents’ home. Moreover there is shortage of

food and clothes here. Call me when your son returns back. You live on

donation till then. Chandravati left.

Goma was saddened at her departure and remembered the day when

Mahadevji cursed her. She thought- My husband didn’t return and now my son

and daughter-in-law have also left me in troubled waters. She prayed to

Mahadevji in her heart- O Shashishekhar! I salute you. I am in great trouble.

Please help me. She wept a lot. Her wails reached Parvati Mataji’s ears in

Kailash. She said to Mahadevji- O Lord! Goma is also your wife. Please save her

from the troubles. If you permit, can I send someone to tell her about the

splendour of Swasthani Mataji’s Vrat (fast) so that her troubles end?

Mahadevji replied- O Parvati! Don’t worry as her troubles will end soon. Send

someone for the purpose. Parvatiji sent Saptarishi to Goma. They reached at

Goma’s home and called her. Goma welcomed them and asked the reason of

their arrival. They said- Your prayers have reached Parvatiji and Mahadevji.

Your worries will finish by keeping the fast of Shree Swasthani Mataji. Listen

carefully.

In the Satyayug Mata Parvati performed this fast to attain Mahadevji as her

husband. It starts on the ‘Paush Shukla Purnima’ day. The devotee should get

himself properly bathed and cleaned before setting on this course. You have to

offer 108 things in Prasada. You should remember Swasthani Mataji with

devotion and state your desire. The saptarishi explained to goma the complete

procedure of the fast and Mataji’s outward appearance which is as follows:

{Glittering as gold, the three-eyed, whose face is like a lotus flower, who sits on

the throne, attached with all ornaments, the four-armed, who has neelkamal

in the upper left hand, varada in the upper right hand, khadaga in the lower

left hand, charma in the lower right hand, such a powerful Goddess; we

remember you the divine being}

Pray and request to her to fulfil your desire and to bless you with her Grace.

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After that you should bow to her and distribute the 108 things of the Prasada

to your husband, son or relative. If no one is availanle then immerse that in the

river. Mataji’s bhajans and jagran should be perfomed in the night.

It has the capacity to end your worries and fulfil your wishes. Don’t ever doubt

the majesty of this glorious fast. Mata Parvati was the first one to perform it.

After listening to the Saptarishi Goma said- I am fortunate to learn this from

you. I am unable to serve you in a proper way. Please wait, I will bring

something for you. The Saptarishi felt her pain and decided to bless her. They

left seven pieces of gold for her before leaving from there.

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24th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! Goma went to the market to brought paan for

the Saptarishi. The shopkeeper said that he had sold all the paans. You can

check inside the vessel. When Goma checked that she found paans there. They

both were surprised by the miracle. The shopkeeper gave those to Goma for

free. Goma rued her fate when she returned home and saw that the Saptarishi

were not there. When she started cleaning her house she noticed seven pieces

of gold that Saptarishi had left there. She thanked them. On the appropriate

day she readied herself well to start the fast of Shree Swasthani Mataji. She

read Swasthani Mataji’s story in the evening. Some children came to her house

to ascertain that what she was doing. She narrated to them Swasthani Mataji’s

story. The children got blessed as well.

Goma performed the fast properly and prayed to Mataji- O kind and

benevolent mother! Please save me from the curse of the monk if you are

satisfied with my devotion. May my son return home soon. Bless me to remain

your devotee always. O mother! You are Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Even

Sheshnaag and Saraswati can’t describe your greatness. She offered the

Prasada to Mataji and spent the night chanting Swasthani Mataji’s pious name.

In the morning she was extremely surprised when her son navraj called her

name. Navraj told her about the demise of his father. Goma wept on learning

that her husband was no more. Navraj consoled her and said- We have to

adjust to the reality. Where is my wife? Goma replied- She left me and

returned to her father’s house. I was in great sorrow but with God’s Grace the

Saptarishi arrived here to tell me about the fast of Swasthani Mataji. It is

because of the good effect of that fast that you have returned home. I will

narrate to you this pious story. It gives happiness in this world and takes us to

the God after our death. Goma narrated the Katha to him and asked him to

take a dip in the holy water of river Ganga. When Navraj was taking a dip

there, the God of water appeared before him due to the good effect of

Swasthani Mataji’s fast. He said- I am happy with your mother’s devotion. The

king of the Lavanya kingdom has expired. The state elephant of that kingdom is

on the lookout for the new king. That person will become the king who will be

garlanded by that elephant. I will enter the conscience of that elephant and

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put the garland in your neck. I bless you to become the king of Lavanya. Navraj

thanked the water God and said- O God! You have blessed me and my mother.

You have made my life meaningful. Bless me always.

Navraj thanked him and returned to his home. His mother asked the reason for

him being so happy. He explained to her that amazing incident. He said that it

has happened due to the grace of Shree Swasthani Mataji. Goma had no words

to thank Mataji. She gave her son the Prasada of Swasthani Mataji. Navraj ate

the Prasada, took her mother’s blessing and departed for the Lavanya

kingdom.

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25th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! The ministers of the Lavanya kingdom had sent

the elephant to send their new king. Many people were trying to attract that

elephant. Navraj also reached there. The water god entered the elephant’s

conscience and the elephant garlanded Navraj. Many people got enraged to

saw that happening because Navraj was a Brahman. The ministers scolded

them by stating that the elephant doesn’t differentiate between the statuses

of the people because the elephant acts as the guide. We will accept him as

the new king. The elephant took Navraj in his trunk and moved towards the

palace. He was made to dress beautifully. He was married to the princess of

that kingdom. The ministers told him that the preparations for his

appointment as their new king were made and they were waiting for his

permission to initiate those proceedings. Navraj said- How can I get crowned in

the absence of my mother? He ordered the ministers to bring his mother

there. The ministers reached Navraj’s home with jewellery and new clothes

and said to her- O mother of the king! Your son has become the king of the

Lavanya kingdom. We are his ministers. We have come here to take you there.

Goma was very happy. She got herself well dressed for the occasion. The

ministers took her to the palace in the cart vehicle. The people there were

surprised to see that the poor Goma had suddenly become the king’s mother.

When she reached the palace of the Lavanya kingdom, Navraj bowed to her

and said- O mother! I have become the king due to your devotion towards the

Almighty. You have to get me crowned now. The Rajpurohits got him crowned

by making him to sit on the golden throne. The Rajpurohits were served food

and given donation. The festivity and the musical programme were arranged.

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26th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! One day king Navraj said to his mother, Goma-

O mother! We have attained the positions of the king and the Rajmata with

Swasthani mataji’s blessings. We should feed all the Brahmans here because it

will make our life worthwhile. Goma replied- You have stated the truth. I pray

to god to keep you like that always. Do call the Brahmans from the

Chandrajyoti nagar and don’t forget to invite your first wife, Chandravati.

Navraj said to his ministers- Invite all the Brahmans for a grand feast. Invite the

Brahmans from Chandrajyoti nagar as well as Varanpur because my wife lives

there. Invite my in-laws too. The ministers carried his orders. They sent cart,

clothes and jewellery for Chandravati. Chandravati and her parents were over

the moon to hear the news of Navraj’s appointment as the king. The ministers

requested Chandravati- O Queen! Please get ready as we have come to take

you to the palace. Chandravati’s parents were very happy and they said to her-

O daughter! You have become a queen. You should go with them. She left for

Lavanya kingdom. On the way people said to each other that this woman has

become a queen who left her mother-in-law in the absence of her husband.

The cavalcade of Chandravati reached a forest covered with fruits and flowers.

The servants sought Chandravati’s permission to eat some fruits there to

satiate their hunger. They asked her to wait in that cart which was carrying her.

They saw some women there who were worshipping there. They asked them

about their whereabouts. The women said- We are the Apsaraas and we are

worshipping Swasthani Mataji here. The servants requested the Apsaraas to

involve them in the puja (worshipping). The Apsaraas assisted them to

complete the procedure of revering the deity and said- Whosoever worships

Shree Swasthani Mataji, listens fondly to her story and keeps literature related

to her in his/her home is blessed to get rid of worries and gets happiness

beyond measure.He/she goes to the abode of the God after leaving this

corporal body. You have worshipped Mataji on the way so you all will be

blessed by her. The servants thanked them and reached back where

Chandravati was waiting for them.

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27th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! Those servants narrated to Chandravati the

complete incident and offered apology for reaching late there. They offered

Swasthani Mataji’s Prasada to her. She got angry and said- You evil people! You

left me alone in the forest to complete your fast. Is this your duty? Is Swasthani

Mata providing you bread and butter? I haven’t heard Swasthani Mata’s name

ever. I will teach all of you a lesson on reaching the palace. She snatched

prashad from their hands and threw it on the floor disdainfully. The servants

had no other option than to take her forward. They had to cross a river named

Shaali. A storm happened because Chandravati had abused Swasthani Mataji.

There was heavy rain and the bridge collapsed. The servants became birds and

reached Kailash as result of revering Swasthani Mataji. The devotees attain the

abode of the God by keeping this fast.

There was a flood in the river. The fishermen reported the matter to Navraj

and asked his opinion to get over this calamity. Navraj reached there along

with his ministers. The fishermen threw their net in the river and Chandravati

got entangled in that. She was ailing with diseases. The fishermen could not

assess if she was a human. They threw her back in the river. They said to

Navraj that they didn’t find anything in the river.Navraj prayed- O mother

Ganga! Please accept my offerings and calm down. He offered Navratnas, a

cow, milk and curd to the river. The river calmed down. The people were

astonished. They revered the river and returned back. On the other side,

Chandravati was living the life of hunger, thirst and diseases. She tried to eat

mud to fill her stomach but that turned to stone first and then into leaves

before flying away. She met that condition because she had abused and

insulted Swasthani Mataji.

Navraj used to serve food and donation to the Brahmans in his palace. One day

two Brahmans of Agnipur village, named Kapil, saw Chandravati on the way.

She was crying with pain and requested them to introduce themselves. They

said- We are Brahmans and we are going to the palace on the invitation of the

king. Chandravati requested them to bring some food for her as she was very

hungry. They said they can’t promise and they moved from there. Navraj

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greeted all the Brahmans, served them food and donated many things to them.

The Kapil Brahmans strolled near the palace after eating food contemplating

about how they could ask for food for Chandravati. Rajmata Goma noticed

their movements and sent the cook to know the reason of their restlessness.

The Brahmans said that they met an ill woman at the shore of river Shaali. She

was very hungry and asked for food. We are worried on that aspect. The cook

told this to Goma who asked him to give some food for her. When they went

inside the kitchen to collect some food, everything disappeared from there.

Goma then asked them to give that food for her which was kept for Goma

after offering to Swasthani Mataji. The cook said to the Kapil Brahmans that

the food vanished from the kitchen when he went to collect it from there and

he was now giving them the food kept for Rajmata Goma. The two Brahmans

left from there. After their departure the food that had disappeared from the

kitchen appeared once again. O Agastya muni! I have explained to you the

story of Chandravati’s misery after she abused Swasthani Mataji. Now I will tell

you how Swasthani Mataji blessed Chandravati when she repented for her

misconduct.

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28th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! The Kapil Brahmans reached with food to give

to Chandravati. She asked for food. They said that you are such an evil soul

that the food vanished from the kitchen of the palace when we demanded it

for you. We have brought for you the Rajmata’s food. Chandravati snatched on

the food. The Brahmans said- You should always eat food after washing your

hands and face. We pity your condition. Listen carefully if you want to get rid

of your disease and bad condition. Perform Shree Swasthani Mataji’s fast. It

has the power to forgive even the worst of criminals. They left after advising

her. When Chandravati reached near the river Shaali to clean herself, the

water level started to lower down. When Chandravati tried to eat the food it

turned into stones and leaves. She fell down unconsciously. She regained

consciousness in between. She was in terrible condition for last five years.

On the ‘Paush Shukla Purnima’ day the Apsaraas descended on earth to

perform Swasthani Mataji’s fast. Chandravati saw them and asked- Can I get

something to eat? I am hungry for last so many days. Please help me. The

Apsaraas said- We are from Indrapur. We have come here for performing

Shree Swasthani Mataji’s fast. We feel pity for your deplorable condition. We

advise you to perform this fast to end your bad period.

Chandravati realised in her heart that she had abused Swasthani Mataji when

her servants had narrated her story. She had thrown Mataji’s Prasada. She was

wandering since then due to the effect of that bad act of hers. The Kapil

Brahmans too had advised her to perform this auspicious fast. Swasthani

Mataji is very kind, compassionate and powerful. I met this condition due to

my ego. I must also perform this propitious fast. Chandravati requested the

Apsaraas to acquaint her with the proper procedure of this fast. The Apsaraas

explained to her the complete procedure of Shree Swasthani Mataji’s Vrat

(fast). They asked her to chant Mataji’s name and get immersed in Mataji’s

divine form. They said- The devotee gets the fruits of his/her desire after the

successful completion of this fast. They helped her in starting the puja of

Mahadevji and Mataji. The effects of the fast on Chandravati were beyond

belief. With the passing of each day her body started to show improvement.

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And as the fast completed she had got rid of her disease. She appeared

beautiful again. At the time of the completion of the fast the Apsaraas again

came to that place. Chandravati told them that she has completed the fast but

she had nothing to kept there as Prasada (offerings to Mataji). The Apsaraas

advised her to use sand for that purpose and then worship with them.

Surprisingly, the offerings made of sand converted to the real ones because of

Chandravati’s devotion for Swasthani Mataji. The Apsaraas said to her- You

have regained your previous form. We want to give you another name,

Punyavati. They all prayed to Swasthani Mataji. Chandravati prayed and said-

Dear Swasthani Mataji! I bow before you. I had insultd and abused you due to

my lack of knowledge about your strength and grace. Please forgive me for my

heinous act. You are the divine form of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. You are

the biggest of all the Gods. Even Sheshnaag and Saraswati can’t describe your

powerful aura. Please accept my prayers and bless me. The Apsaraas left after

the completion of the fast. Chandravati immersed the offerings into river

Shaali and prayed to Mataji- O my dear mother! Re-unite me with my husband.

She then ate the left over Prasada. This way Chandravati attained divine body

with the blessings of Swasthani Mataji.

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29th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! A Naag (snake) saw the four rotis that

Chandravati had immersed in the river. The Naag thought- Who might have

immersed these rotis? I left home twelve years ago. How can I eat them alone?

I should go home and share these with my wife. The wife of the Naag was also

searching for her husband and they both met near the shore of the river Shaali.

She asked her husband- Dear! Where were you for so long? Why did you leave

me? I am fortunate to re-unite with you. I had got these four rotis. Let us share

these. The Naag said- I, too, have got four of them. I wanted to share these

with you. They both were surprised with this twist of fate. They ate those rotis

and the Nagin said to the Naag- We have united due to the good effect of

these rotis. We pray to the God that whoso ever immersed these rotis in the

river may get his/her desires fulfilled. These rotis have united us and if that

person is also searching for someone then they may also unite. This way the

snake couple blessed Chandravati indirectly.

The inhabitants of the Lavanya kingdom went near river Shaali to have a bath.

They saw Chandravati there and asked her to introduce herself. Chandravati

said- I am the daughter of Agniswami Brahman of Varanpur. I am the wife of

Navraj, son of Goma and resident of Chandrajyoti nagar. I performed Shree

Swasthani Mataji’s fast here under the guidance of some Apsaraas. The people

were very surprised and told this incident to Navraj. Navraj was very happy. He

said- she is my wife. I am waiting for her from a long time. Navraj ordered his

ministers to reach near the shore of river Shaali with all fanfare and brought

her to the palace. The ministers carried his orders and asked Chandravati to

get dressed with the clothes and jewellery that they had brought with them.

Chandravati thanked Swasthani Mataji in her heart- O benevolent mother! I

have seen the outcome of performing your propitious fast. I had prayed to you

to re-unite me with my husband and you have blessed a bad person like me. I

salute you as I have become a queen because of your blessings. She got ready

and moved for the palace. The people thronged to see her. Navraj brought her

inside the palace.

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30th Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! Chandravati met Goma and Navraj happily

there. Navraj asked- Dear! It has been a long time since I saw you last. I sent

servants to bring you here. They haven’t returned till date and you also took a

long time to reach here. Are you not happy with my elevation to the coveted

post of the King? People told me that you are living in a hut near the shore of

river Shaali. What was the matter? Chandravati was happy to hear his kind

words and replied- I started my journey for here with your servants. They

asked to take rest and eat fruits in a forest on the way. Some Apsaraas were

performing the auspicious fast of Shree Swasthani Mataji there. Your servants

joined them in this good work and brought Prasada for me as well. Due to my

ego and ignorance I abused Swasthani Mataji and threw the Prasada. When we

reached near the river a flood engulfed us and the bridge collapsed. I don’t

know what happened to your servants. I got unconscious. When I regained

consciousness I found myself in a bad shape, ugly and ridden with diseases.

One day two Kapil Brahmans crossed from that place and I requested them to

bring some food for me from the palace as they were going there for a feast.

They came back and admonished me for the fact that the food vanished from

the kitchen of the palace when they had asked for it for her. They said that

Rajmata had given her portion for you and that I should wash my hands and

face before having food. They sympathised with me and advised me to carry

out Swasthani Mataji’s fast. They said that it would end my bad period. When I

tried to eat the food given by them it turned into stones and leaves. The river

also lowered its level when I tried to drink water from it. On a ‘Paush Shukla

Purnima’ day some Apsaraas arrived there to execute Swasthani Mataji’s fast.

They also advised me to do Mataji’s fast to overcome my pain and bad luck. I

rued for the fact that I was not in a condition to carry out the fast as I didn’t

have the required material needed for the puja. They explained to me the

proper procedure of the fast and went away. I started Mataji’s worshipping

and fast with utmost devotion. The results on my body were beyond belief. I

came back to my normal self. The Apsaraas came back after a month and were

happy with my recuperation. They called me by a new name, Punyavati, and

asked me to make the material for the puja using sand. Surprisingly, Mataji’s

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blessings turned the material of sand into the real one and I was able to

complete the puja. I completed the procedure of ending the fast along with

them. I thanked Mataji from the core of my heart and prayed to her to re-unite

me with you. I ate the hundred rotis and other Prasada and chanted her name

throughout the night. I immersed the Prasada, kept as shagun, in the river the

next morning. I had to bear so much pain in my life because I had abused

Swasthani Mataji. I regained everything after I apologised to her. I have

reunited with you by grace of Swasthani Mataji. She is the biggest of all the

Devtaas and her fast is supreme. I thank her again and again. Chandravati was

in complete awe of Mataji by then.

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31st Adhyay Kumarji said- O Agastya Muni! Goma thanked Shree Swasthani Mataji after she

learnt her daughter-in-law’s tale. She said to Chandravati- You have executed

this fast in spite of bearing so much pain. You are remarkable. Now listen to my

story- When you and Navraj left the home my life became difficult. One day

the Saptarishi came to my home and advised me to do Swasthani Mataji’s fast.

They left seven pieces of gold for me in my absence when I had gone to

purchase paan for them. I bought the material for the puja from the gold left

by them. I carried out this fast with dedication and completed it with proper

procedure. In the morning I was extremely surprised to see Navraj back home.

I gave him the Prasada. He broke to me the sad news of the demise of my

husband. He told me that he had performed the last rites of his father by

collecting the bones from the place where his father had died. He narrated to

me how the water God blessed him to become the king of the Lavanya

kingdom. By the grace of Swasthani Mataji Navraj became the king. Our good

fortune is the outcome of Mataji’s grace. Mataji’s blessings are not limited to

this world only. They take us to the heavenly abode as well. Goma shared her

story with Navraj, Chandravati and Lavanyavati, the second wife of Navraj. She

advised both her daughter-in-laws to live peacefully.

O Agastya Muni! Both the daughter-in –laws touched the feet of their mother-

in-law. Since then they performed Swasthani Mataji’s fast every year with

devotion. This way they all lived happily thereafter.

O Agastya Muni! Whosoever executes Shree Swasthani Mataji’s fast, keep her

book in his/her home is blessed by her and never faces any difficulty in life. The

ghosts and other bad activities can’t harm the devotees of Swasthani Mataji.

The devotee gets worldly pleasures and leaves for the heavenly abode of the

God after completing the life-cycle on the earth.

This is the story of Shree Swasthani Mataji and we have tried our best to make

it reach you.

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Prayer

Upnaytu mangalam vah sakaljagnamanglalaya shreeman!

Dinkar-kiran-nibodhit-nav nalin-dalnibhekshanah Krishna!!

Kale varsatu parjanye prithivi shasyashalini!

Deshoayam kshobhrahito brahmana santu nirbhaya!!

Aputraah putrinah santu putrinah santu pautrinah!

Nirdhanah sadhnah santu jivantu shardaam shatam!!

Tatraiv Ganga Yamuna cha tatra, godawari sindhu saraswati cha!

Tirthaani sarvaani vasanti tatra, yatraachayutodaarkathaprasangah!!

Yaa kundendu-tushaar-haardhawla yaa shubhravastravrita!

Yaa veenavardandmanditkara yaa shwetpadmaasana!!

Yaa brahmachayutshankarprabhritibhi devaih sada vanditah!

Saa maam paatu saraswati bhagwati niih sheshjaadyaapaha!!

Kaayen vaacha mansendriyervaa budhyatmana vaa prakritisvabhaavaat!

Karomi yaddyatsakalam parasmaih narayanayetisamarpayetat!!

Meaning: {May the lotus-eyed Shree Krishna bestow you with his blessings.

May the rains happen on time and the earth is full of prosperity. May this

country be devoid of sorrow and the Brahmans live here without fear. May the

childless attain progeny, the poor get money and all live a long life. All the

pilgrimages like Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Sindhu, Saraswati etc. shower their

blessings where ever the name of Lord Krishna is taken. May the Goddess of

knowledge, who wears white clothes, holding a Veena (musical instrument),

who sits on white lotus; take care of me always. Whatever I do from my body,

heart, voice, self-consciousness and my nature; I proffer it to you Lord

Narayana}

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Shree Swasthani Mataji’s Aarti

Jai Shree Swasthani Mata, Maiya Jai Shree Swasthani Mata!

Tumko nishdin dhyawat, Parvati Mata!! Aum Jai!!

Teen netron waali, chaar bhuja Mata!

Khadaga, charama, trishul, kamal shobha pata!! Aum Jai!!

Jis ghar mein tum rehti, tahaan sab sadgun aata!

Tumhara vrat karke, sab sambhav ho jaata!! Aum Jai!!

Navraj ko raja banaya, Goma ko rajmata!

Agastya muni ko yeh sab, Sukumar sunata!! Aum Jai!!

Ashwathama Rishi rasatal mein batata!

Mahadevji ki puja tumhare mann bhaata!! Aum Jai!!

Paush, maagh mahiney mein jo jan tumhara vrat kar paata!

Tumhari kripa se who, manovaanchit phal paata!! Aum Jai!!

Shree Swasthani Mataji ki aarti, jo jan nit gaata!

Ridhi-Sidhi, such, sampati, jee bhar ke paata!! Aum Jai!!

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Content for the back cover of the book

Shree Swasthani Mataji’s Vrat (Fast) is one of the most revered fasts. It gives

the desired results to the devotees who undertake it. Its glory is beyond

imagination. By just doing it once, the devotee gets the worldly pleasures in

this life while attains the heavenly abode of the God thereafter. My wife and I

want to spread the grandness of this fast to maximum people. We pray to

Shree Swasthani Mataji to bless everyone and to fulfil your desires.